The San Jose Sharks put forth a great effort tonight, but while it was not too little, it was most certainly too late. If it were not for the effort they exhibited the past two games of this series, this one would not have been necessary.
Dallas definitely proved that they are a better team than Calgary. The Sharks dominated a couple games in the first round against the Flames, especially game seven when they really needed to and were never really able to dominate the Stars in the same way.
In this series, they had an edge in five of the six games in all the categories except the scoreboard. Tonight, they once again had more scoring chances and out-shot Dallas and had the edge in faceoffs for most of the game.
But they lost.
Brenden Morrow is a 'titan'. If it were not blasphemy, I would call him a god.
He tipped in the game-winner a few minutes into in the fourth overtime to deal the fatal blow to this Sharks team.
They have failed to win more than six games in the playoffs three years in a row now. They actually regressed by losing two more in the process this year.
In 2006, a big hit from Raffi Torres, to the face of Milan Michalek, in game three took them off their game, and they failed to advance.
In 2007, a late goal in game four by Robert Lang when the Sharks were less than 35 seconds away from taking a 3-1 series lead took them off their game, and they failed to advance again.
This year, they had plenty of those situations and always bounced back. In game three, against Calgary, they had both – a vicious hit to the face of Patrick Marleau by Corey Sarich which changed the momentum of a game, in which, the Sharks blew a 3-0 lead.
Tonight, a vicious but completely legal hit at the end of the third period by--you guessed it, Brenden Morrow, knocked Milan Michalek out of the game. The momentum of this game see-sawed more than all the playgrounds in Dallas, but the Sharks never lost their composure. They even minimized mistakes, something remarkable considering the combination of fatigue and youth on the blue line.
They did not show a lack of resilience this post-season, but they showed a lack of focus. They were terrible on special teams. They had an excessive number of turnovers. They even showed a lack of work ethic and desire at times.
What the Sharks have is not working. Changes have to be made and people have to be forced to find new homes.
For starters, Ron Wilson must be fired. If he fails to motivate these players year in and year out, maybe they need a different voice to respond to. Wilson also seemingly fails to make affective adjustments.
- In the Edmonton series, they out-hit the Sharks, even though the Sahrks were a big team, and no style adjustment took place. Wilson tried to sit on a one-goal lead through the third period in game three.
- Against Detroit, he continued to play puck possession. This is usually to the Sharks' advantage, but the Red Wings are one of the few teams better at that than the Sharks. But the Sharks were the biggest team in the league and much younger, and would have worn them down with a grinding style.
- This year, we were getting killed by teams' forechecks and yet we continue to stubbournly look for the outlet pass that leads to turnovers. We turned the puck over more in virtually every game of both series.
- San Jose's power play has been great in the regular season but absent in each of the past two post-seasons because they fail to move their feet, continue to pass the puck around the perimeter, and do not get traffic in front of goaltenders. Other teams' penalty killers work hard to get to pucks and pressure their opponents, making stationary targets vulnerable. The pretty cross-ice feeds do not work in the playoffs because people sacrifice more to block them. Playoff caliber goalies stop everything they see.
- Curtis Brown ended the season hot and is one of our three best penalty killing forwards, but was rarely dressed during the playoffs and made few appearances on the ice in tonight's quadruple overtime game in which San Jose had lost a forward to injury. That may be the single least understandable failure of Wilson's.
Here is a change a lot of you will disagree with: Patrick Marleau must be traded before his no-trade clause kicks in this July. He scored two shorthanded goals in consecutive nights in Dallas and one sparked the team to victory. So why get rid of him?
- This team is in need of more passionate leadership. The quiet leader is not working. We need look only as far as Brenden Morrow for the prototype.
- What sends a better message of dissatisfaction than trading away the captain and face of the franchise, and why wouldn't you do that when the franchise is known for playoff failure?
- Marleau's value will still be high despite being terrible for most of this season because he did well on the scoresheet in the playoffs.
- The reality is he is about -25 in the last 100 Sharks' games dating back to the Detroit series. He was great back-checking tonight, but I want a guy who plays defense all the time. I don't want a guy who leaps over Modano's shot in game one, actually becoming a liability because he screens his goaltender. If he gets in the way of that goal like he is supposed to, we win by one in regulation instead of losing in overtime, and we are still alive.
Brian Campbell will not be worth the money he could get on the open market. Do not re-sign him.
- He was actually pretty good in the Dallas series, but awful against Calgary. He was not our best defenseman as he was supposed to be this post-season.
- He is a bit small for the more physical Western Conference.
- The Sharks have young defensemen who can be used for skating and offense who should continue to develop. What we need is a veteran back there who can be a stopper and help us hold on to leads. Rob Blake comes to mind, and will be a heck of a lot cheaper.
This is the end of the major changes that will change the very nature of the team. There are, however, a few more players who should go, all of whom are defensemen.
- Alexei Semenov is a waste of a roster space, and I do not know why he was ever in a game. He is slow, has horrible vision, and cannot handle the puck. I seriously think I would be better.
- Kyle McLaren has been ineffective for three years now. Two of those three years, when he was particularly ineffective, he was struggling with injuries, so this is not personal. But if a guy cannot stay healthy, we need to make room for someone else.
- Maybe Sandis Ozolinsh is too far past his peak. Ozo played well early in the season, so I wonder if he did something to get in Ron Wilson's doghouse to not get on the ice in a meaningful game since February. He was the only player on the roster to ever win a Cup and is great at moving the puck, something we needed especially against Calgary...either there was a reason he remained a scratch that I did not see or this is more proof of Wilson's incompetence--or both.
Make these changes now, because I have run out of patience, and within two years Pittsburgh will be so good no one else will be able to win.
Now, it is time to shave my beard. Two rounds too early if you asked me.
Comments (17) Add a comment »
from 11 days ago
But for the record, tonight was one of the best games I have ever seen (second only to the Penguins-Flyers 5OT several years back).
from 11 days ago
Great Article...its almost a shame it was about the losers. Sorry i wont gloat...they played one hell of a game. BTW...Brenden Morrow for President!
from 11 days ago
He;s gotta be better than the last one from TX! Thanks for the props, good luck against the Wings.
from 11 days ago
It was an amazing game to watch tonight, and the end result was a downer. While I realize no one is happy about the outcome, Sharks fans should be proud that their team dragged it out to the very end.
San Jose definitely needs a coaching change, and a wake up call that show that heads will now roll. However, trading Patrick Marleau will be too much of a reactionary move. Name someone else captain, but don't dump the guy. He's still a contributor to the team, and a new coach could address his shortcomings.
As for Rob Blake. The guy is getting up there in age and has a long history with LA. Unless the Sharks are willing to overpay for a retirement contract, he's going to finish his days with the Kings. He would serve a mentor role at best, and doesn't have the same spark that Jeremy Roenick has. You'll basically be throwing away money when it comes to him.
While Brian Campbell isn't the big hard-nosed type that every team wants, he's still a star defenseman that is capable of bringing the Sharks to another level. I feel that the area where the Sharks could use a upgrade the most, is in defense. If Campbell is willing to re-sign for a reasonable price, then the Sharks would be wise to keep him. Of course, having him alone won't be enough and they would need to add another potential game-breaker on the blue line.
from 11 days ago
Thoughtful comments, and yes, if Campbell will sign for under market value, I'd keep him. You may be right about Blake--I wouldn't sign him to anything overpriced, but I figure he might be willing to sign for the right price to be one of the pieces that helps get him another Cup. I still think we trade Marleau because he is the face of a franchise that fails, and that culture needs to change, Plus, I think we could get a great player for him.
from 11 days ago
Nabokov, Thornton and Roenick are the key pieces, but Joe Thornton was almost invisible to me (although my eyes are biased) Roenick had great chances in the OT but just couldn't get it on net right. Last night truly game down to goalie vs. goalie and to all sharks fans...it was a more thrilling game than even the 99 Stars Cup win...truly a treat. Be Proud! i know i am of your team, and I'm not even a fan of them.
from 10 days ago
Yeah, ten points in thirteen games isn't bad (and 32 in 35 as a Shark), but he does not go to the net and that's what gets you points in the playoffs. It is just hard to replace a guy like him, and he is under contract for the next three years at less than market value. You have to keep guys that are under market value these days.
I am proud of the way my team played last night, but not in the playoffs as a whole. If you had watched them choke the other two games against Calgary, you would know why I see the problem as more systematic and am not so proud.
from 11 days ago
It'd be more than wishful thinking to say that he's going to Toronto for Pavel Kubina. It'd be nice, but I doubt it! haha
The thing with Campbell, is that because the free agent market is weak this season, the talent available is at a premium. His agent knows that (unless he represents himself, which I doubt but I don't know it for a fact), and agents want "what's best for their client". I don't know how realistic the scenario is for Campbell to sign under market-value (especially after they tried to sign him to such a deal out in Buffalo, and he was traded because a) the Buffalo situation was pitiful and b) a contract "nice" enough to keep him there wasn't offered). Who knows, he might want to stay in San Jose, but I think he'll be more than willing to test the open market.
As far as Blake, I don't see him coming back at all this year. He wanted to stay in LA to finish his career, and refused a trade out of town—Stanley Cup or not. It'd be nice to see Blake go out on top, but I certainly think he's done after this year, because he's where he wants to be.
As far as the other three, I'm impressed Sandis came back, however I think the layoff may have been extensive. He's had an excellent career and made his country proud. As for Semenov, well, at least someone gave him a shot.
And McLaren seems to just need a fresh start. He was shipped out of Boston on rough terms, and now he's run into a little trouble in San Jose, so maybe reshaping that defense without him would be better. If he's healthy though, I still believe that he can be an excellent defenseman and an impact player.
The offseason will be interesting to say the least, great job MJ.
from 10 days ago
I vote for unloading Matt Carle. Every time his teammates count on him to make ANY sort of positive play, all he does is choke. It's hard to be a solid, dependable defenseman with your hands around your throat...
Campbell, aaah, Campbell. As much as I've *loathed* him this post-season, I think getting rid of him would be a mistake. He's obviously capable of brilliance and maybe just needs a little more time to adjust to San Jose's style of play. Now, if he's willing to leave on his own accord, I'll plan his going-away party.
Semenov is a joke. Periodendofstory.
So, the Sharks need a defenseman...what about Sheldon Souray? Not sure if he's even available, but he seems like the kind of outspoken loudmouth that the youngsters thrive under the tutelage of (a la JR). And if he's healthy, he's pretty dang talented, as well. I think he'd be a perfect fit with Craig Rivet and could maybe show Error-hoff a thing or two...
Just my two cents. What a bummer last night was.
from 10 days ago
No way you dump Carle after just two years. It's worse than saying stuff about Ehrhoff because Carle has had even less time, but even Christian is very young. They make mistakes (although they were great last night) because they do not even have three full seasons in the league. The problem is they are being put in a position where they are being counted on, when ideally they would be on third pairs and not in much in the defensive zone or late in close games.
Souray is under contract I believe, but may not be the best fit for us anyway. I think we need a defensive blue liner with experience and leadership, and I would like another right-hander. My choice would be Jason Smith, who would not cost us a lot in a trade (I think he's already under contract, too).
from 10 days ago
I don't think the Sharks should ditch Soupy. He logged more ice time than anybody in this series, and you know what? He made a lot of stuff happen. The Sharks need more players with flash and zeal, as opposed to robotic players.
from 10 days ago
He turned the puck over a lot in the Sharks end. I would agree that he'll probably get overvalued by the market.
from 10 days ago
Hockey = Boring
from 10 days ago
Then why were you reading about it? And if you had seen last night's game, there was NO way it was boring, except if you do not have the wherewithal to understand it...
from 10 days ago
Even as a Dallas fan, I have to admit sometimes it sucks that someone/team has to lose.
Great game, great series.
Interesting comments about Wilson - I agree with you on many terms, but the TV guys last night were all about him making adjustments during the game. Granted, they were talking about personnel and line changes not the fundamentals of play. Much like Bob Gainey in Dallas before he was let go
from 10 days ago
Wilson is as good as gone. Three straight second-round exits with a team of this talent level is a kiss of death.
If the Sharks are offered a tremendous package for Marleau at the draft, they might have to do it. With Pavelski and Ehrhoff looming as restricted free agents, the team needs to unload some money to resign Campbell and those two. Now, if some team offers 6.5 or more per year for Soupy, then you have to let him go.
from 10 days ago
I'm not sure I would even sign him for 6, but defintely no more. He can't be paid in the Thornton range. And depending on what our other options are, we may want to let Ehrhoff go--we need Little Joe, and we need to upgrade the blue line.
If Campbell goes (and I think he will be offered more than 6 elsewhere), we can only upgrade if we make room and add two solid guys. No way we get rid of Rivet (the best guy left), Murray (most improved and best hitter), Carle (five year contract and talented young player who will only get better), or Vlassic (tiny step back this year but our youngest and still third-best D). That means there is no room to add two guys if we keep any of the other starters.
If we keep Campbell, we have to add one more guy to upgrade, and that still means Ehrhoff and McLaren go. Either way, we could keep one of the two of them as our seventh guy, but you can get those anywhere for almost nothing.
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