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BREAKING: Demers Traded; Is it Panic Time?

November 21, 2014, 10:55 AM ET [64 Comments]
Tim Chiasson
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Update 3:25pm: The Sharks have begun movement within the organization, sending Jason Demers and a 3rd round pick 2016 to Dallas for Brenden Dillon.

There's chatter of Sharks retaining 35% of Demers salary as well, per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.

I'll have thoughts on this in tomorrow's post.






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I could end the post with that single tweet.

The Sharks struggles are evident in their record in the standings. There’s no denying this is, from a point view, a mediocre club through 22 games, though they shouldn't be.

Losing to the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres twice is unacceptable. The good news is that things can only get better.

Look at the possession chart from last night’s game against the Panthers.



The Sharks should have been handed a better result but, unfortunately, they only came out with a point. Now, getting a point is still a good thing considering how they've done this season. There was no Burish and there was no John Scott. The defense even held the opposition to below 30 shots.

I don’t agree with 8 playing with 39 and 12 with 19 but you can’t win ‘em all. The right forward lineup was dressed for only the second time this season. Baby steps.

I can live with the top six looking different, but with the same six players (8, 19, 48, 39, 12, 83), if it will remain with the same line combinations for longer than one game. There has to be some stability to establish chemistry, it just gives the team a better chance to win.

Again the fourth line had a 25% Off ZS. On no planet is that ideal. The fourth line should at least be 50%. The reason they are fourth line players is because they don’t create chances as easily as other players, they don’t exit the defensive zone as effectively and they struggle to enter the offensive zone often dumping the puck in to create loss of possession. They absolutely need to be sheltered.

As much as I enjoy pointing out Todd McLellan’s failures, last night he put the ideal group on the ice (minus Hannan), so I’ll give him credit for that. You have to keep it like that now, coach.

I will add that Joe Thornton playing under 20 minutes when you have an additional five minute overtime period is less than ideal. Thornton creates scoring chances and controls possession; it’s just what he does. He should have seen the ice more than he did last night.

San Jose now sits with 21 goals in their last 10 games and haven’t score more than 2 goals in since a November 8th win over Dallas. That has not helped their cause in any way, shape or form. When the goal well dries up on a team with questionable defense your struggles are going to have a hard time disappearing. Over those 10 games the Sharks have a 4-5-1 record.

Nothing is going to Sharks way right now, not even games where they are better possession teams. They need to keep focused and continue to try and control possession, not take chances and don’t get too wrapped up in what’s already happened. The past is the past. There’s no changing the current 10-9-3 record.

Is it panic time? Let’s have a poll.

Are the Sharks fine or does something need to be done? What do the Sharks need to do to fix their disappointing season? Is it a roster shakeup? A firing? Small acquisition? Vote in the poll and have your say in the comment section.

Thanks for reading.

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