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San Jose Sharks Blogger •
A true David and Goliath matchup, minus the fortuitous slingshot, you might have brushed off a meeting between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings last season. Compelling as a cold and predictable as the Predators, I’ll admit that I would have been tempted to flip the channels a little, especially if Game 1 of the World Series and the Golden State Warriors’ home opener were happening on the same night. However, there’s no way I’m scanning the dial tonight, not with the Pacific’s best locking horns at HP Pavilion.
The Kings and Sharks have 16 and 15 points, respectively, through the first 12 games of the season, and should battle for playoff position all season. That makes each of their six contests crucial, and the season series could help determine home ice advantage in the playoffs. Not only will each game carry significance in the standings, but they should be very entertaining as well.
Looking through the history of both franchises, the Sharks and Kings share a number of common bonds, although two of them help us examine their major differences in both approach and philosophy. Veteran defenseman Rob Blake has served as captain of both teams, and first assumed the Los Angeles captaincy from Wayne Gretzky after he was dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 1996 – 13 years ago.
Blake was serving his second stint as the Kings captain when he went to San Jose as a free agent in 2008. While the Kings were looking to get younger and building for the future, the Sharks were adding veteran experience to help them make a run at the Stanley Cup. Blake was given the San Jose captaincy prior to the regular season, cementing the team’s decision to move away from youth and put their future in the hands of the veteran defenseman.
The same differences appear when you look at the teams’ other common bond: Dean Lombardi. Lombardi served as the Sharks general manager from 1996-2003, building a solid foundation with draft picks including Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, Douglas Murray, Christian Ehrhoff and Ryane Clowe. Doug Wilson took over as San Jose general manager in 2003 and opted for immediate results with big, bold moves rather than patiently building a foundation. He chose to acquire Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Dany Heatley, and has been one of the busiest general managers at the trade deadline.
Lombardi was appointed the Kings general manager in 2006 and continued the pattern he had established in San Jose, building through the draft and relying on youth rather than experience. While the majority of Wilson’s moves have made the Sharks older, leading some to believe the window of Cup contention in closing, Lombardi has made the Kings younger, and this might be the year his patience begins to pay off. The Sharks roster has an average age of 27.47 years, while the Kings average age is 24.78 years.
You’ll also find a major difference in the coaching staff of the two teams, specifically how they handle issues. The Kings dealt with their biggest headache swiftly, benching Alexander Frolov after he produced five points and a questionable effort during his first eight games. After spending a game with the scribes, Frolov was placed on the second line alongside Dustin Brown and Michael Handzus, and has responded with six points in his last three games.
The Sharks have chosen to avoid their biggest headache, keeping Ryane Clowe on the second line through the first 12 games and watching him produce two points. He hasn’t scored in five games, and he’s been one of the team’s worst players this season, yet he’s being moved up to the top line for tonight’s game, skating with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. Considering his new contract and the recent developments it’s official: No team rewards failure like the Sharks.
There’s little doubt that the Sharks and Kings are heading in opposite directions, putting them on a collision course for Pacific Division supremacy this season. As hockey fans, we’re the ones who benefit. While you might have done it last season, I wouldn’t recommend skipping tonight’s game for the World Series or Warriors opener.
***
There’s tough, and then there’s Dan Boyle tough. David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the Sharks defenseman has spent the last six weeks playing with a broken thumb, suffered during the Teal & White Game on Sept. 16. I require rest, ice and a warm blanket when I break wind. Boyle broke one of his most important digits and didn’t take a night off, playing hockey each day while it healed.
Considering this new revelation, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see Boyle riding a seven-game scoring drought. And you might think he would be limited to three points and a -6 plus-minus over the first 12 games of the season. However, those are the numbers of Sharks captain Rob Blake. Boyle is simply leading all NHL defensemen in assists (10) and points (12) and sits 11th in ice time, averaging 25:36 a night.
Sure we saw a little hiccup in Boyle’s defensive game, bringing him down to Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s level for a couple nights, but his play has been remarkable when you consider the fact he’s done it all with a broken thumb. Not only should his play be applauded, it should also be a reminder to his teammates how they should play and produce when skating with an injury, whether it’s a strained MCL or a bruised ego. Remind me again why Boyle isn’t the Sharks’ captain?
***
My voice is back, the cough is gone, and swine flu has been defeated, so we’re going to celebrate in grand style tonight with a SharksBuzz Postgame Show. We’ll break down the night’s action, gush over Dan Boyle a little, and celebrate the great game of hockey with the Sharks’ only postgame call-in show. You can listen live at approximately 10 p.m., and feel free to weigh in at (724) 444-7444, talkcast ID# 74909.
ryan.garner@hockeybuzz.com
The Kings and Sharks have 16 and 15 points, respectively, through the first 12 games of the season, and should battle for playoff position all season. That makes each of their six contests crucial, and the season series could help determine home ice advantage in the playoffs. Not only will each game carry significance in the standings, but they should be very entertaining as well.
Looking through the history of both franchises, the Sharks and Kings share a number of common bonds, although two of them help us examine their major differences in both approach and philosophy. Veteran defenseman Rob Blake has served as captain of both teams, and first assumed the Los Angeles captaincy from Wayne Gretzky after he was dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 1996 – 13 years ago.
Blake was serving his second stint as the Kings captain when he went to San Jose as a free agent in 2008. While the Kings were looking to get younger and building for the future, the Sharks were adding veteran experience to help them make a run at the Stanley Cup. Blake was given the San Jose captaincy prior to the regular season, cementing the team’s decision to move away from youth and put their future in the hands of the veteran defenseman.
The same differences appear when you look at the teams’ other common bond: Dean Lombardi. Lombardi served as the Sharks general manager from 1996-2003, building a solid foundation with draft picks including Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, Douglas Murray, Christian Ehrhoff and Ryane Clowe. Doug Wilson took over as San Jose general manager in 2003 and opted for immediate results with big, bold moves rather than patiently building a foundation. He chose to acquire Joe Thornton, Dan Boyle and Dany Heatley, and has been one of the busiest general managers at the trade deadline.
Lombardi was appointed the Kings general manager in 2006 and continued the pattern he had established in San Jose, building through the draft and relying on youth rather than experience. While the majority of Wilson’s moves have made the Sharks older, leading some to believe the window of Cup contention in closing, Lombardi has made the Kings younger, and this might be the year his patience begins to pay off. The Sharks roster has an average age of 27.47 years, while the Kings average age is 24.78 years.
You’ll also find a major difference in the coaching staff of the two teams, specifically how they handle issues. The Kings dealt with their biggest headache swiftly, benching Alexander Frolov after he produced five points and a questionable effort during his first eight games. After spending a game with the scribes, Frolov was placed on the second line alongside Dustin Brown and Michael Handzus, and has responded with six points in his last three games.
The Sharks have chosen to avoid their biggest headache, keeping Ryane Clowe on the second line through the first 12 games and watching him produce two points. He hasn’t scored in five games, and he’s been one of the team’s worst players this season, yet he’s being moved up to the top line for tonight’s game, skating with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. Considering his new contract and the recent developments it’s official: No team rewards failure like the Sharks.
There’s little doubt that the Sharks and Kings are heading in opposite directions, putting them on a collision course for Pacific Division supremacy this season. As hockey fans, we’re the ones who benefit. While you might have done it last season, I wouldn’t recommend skipping tonight’s game for the World Series or Warriors opener.
***
There’s tough, and then there’s Dan Boyle tough. David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the Sharks defenseman has spent the last six weeks playing with a broken thumb, suffered during the Teal & White Game on Sept. 16. I require rest, ice and a warm blanket when I break wind. Boyle broke one of his most important digits and didn’t take a night off, playing hockey each day while it healed.
Considering this new revelation, it wouldn’t be that surprising to see Boyle riding a seven-game scoring drought. And you might think he would be limited to three points and a -6 plus-minus over the first 12 games of the season. However, those are the numbers of Sharks captain Rob Blake. Boyle is simply leading all NHL defensemen in assists (10) and points (12) and sits 11th in ice time, averaging 25:36 a night.
Sure we saw a little hiccup in Boyle’s defensive game, bringing him down to Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s level for a couple nights, but his play has been remarkable when you consider the fact he’s done it all with a broken thumb. Not only should his play be applauded, it should also be a reminder to his teammates how they should play and produce when skating with an injury, whether it’s a strained MCL or a bruised ego. Remind me again why Boyle isn’t the Sharks’ captain?
***
My voice is back, the cough is gone, and swine flu has been defeated, so we’re going to celebrate in grand style tonight with a SharksBuzz Postgame Show. We’ll break down the night’s action, gush over Dan Boyle a little, and celebrate the great game of hockey with the Sharks’ only postgame call-in show. You can listen live at approximately 10 p.m., and feel free to weigh in at (724) 444-7444, talkcast ID# 74909.
ryan.garner@hockeybuzz.com
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