Did anyone see what Stalberg did to Hossa to piss him off?
- scottak

No. But sure hope whatever it was they do it again because launching Hoss into beast mode was a big mistake. Huge.

Anyone else think Ribeiro took that penalty on Toews at the end of the game so he could get off the ice? Just grabbed Toews like he was hugging him and wouldn't let go til the whistle. Very odd but to me it was an obvious take so he wouldn't get lit up. Don't worry Ribeiro, you'll get yours in Game 4.

#SJSharks and head coach Todd McLellan have mutually agreed to part ways. http://go.sjsharks.com/LRk1R

#SJSharks and head coach Todd McLellan have mutually agreed to part ways. http://go.sjsharks.com/LRk1R
- Glenman12

What took so long? Sharks have had a lot of talent on that team but never put it together. Need to ditch Jumbo too while they're at it.

Kane looks tentative and not very dynamic.
- John Jaeckel

i agree he does not want to work along the boards at this time so he needs other to retrieve the puck for him and that is not replacing versteeg with TT

Anyone else think Ribeiro took that penalty on Toews at the end of the game so he could get off the ice? Just grabbed Toews like he was hugging him and wouldn't let go til the whistle. Very odd but to me it was an obvious take so he wouldn't get lit up. Don't worry Ribeiro, you'll get yours in Game 4.
- Assman22

You're over thinking! These are professionals they no when to get even. Wether its next game or the following game he will get whats coming.

i agree he does not want to work along the boards at this time so he needs other to retrieve the puck for him and that is not replacing versteeg with TT
- molly2522

Agree TT is not the answer he scares no one. Versteeg has been throwing his body and chirping a lot with the Preds.

Powers reporting Darling to start game 4.

#SJSharks and head coach Todd McLellan have mutually agreed to part ways. http://go.sjsharks.com/LRk1R
- Glenman12

So McLellan was fired - without being formally fired?

What took so long? Sharks have had a lot of talent on that team but never put it together. Need to ditch Jumbo too while they're at it.
- Assman22

McLellan is an excellent coach. He will have his choice of numerous NHL teams to go to. In fact, some teams would fire their current coach if they can get him.

Powers reporting Darling to start game 4.
- MNHawk

McLellan is an excellent coach. He will have his choice of numerous NHL teams to go to. In fact, some teams would fire their current coach if they can get him.
- RickJ

Not in the playoffs. Can win all the games you want in the regular season but it doesn't mean poop if you can't win in the playoffs. Was hoping the Sharks would fire him last offseason and bring in Trotz. Will be interesting to see who his replacement is and hopefully for the Sharks, it's someone fresh to the organization.

Powers reporting Darling to start game 4.
- MNHawk

Well duh!

Assuming Q wasn't dumb enough to do it twice

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 14m14 minutes ago
Scott Darling will start Game 4 for the #Blackhawks.


Rightfully so.

I am curious however how short his leash is compared to Crawford (in the case of a poor performance).

Powers reporting Darling to start game 4.
- MNHawk

Luke Stuckmeyer now reporting it too. Yay! Feel bad for Crow. Like him and he is to a large degree why they are in the playoffs. That said love Darling's story and his game. As others have said on here - go with the hot hand (it's all about the cup) and it's now Darlings's net until proven otherwise.

McLellan is an excellent coach. He will have his choice of numerous NHL teams to go to. In fact, some teams would fire their current coach if they can get him.
- RickJ

I think the Sharks will regret this

I do find it interesting that Rosenbloom (local media columnist in Chicago) is now speculating on whether or not Crawford might be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Something I know JJ, and I and others, have postulated for months.

If you're going to trade Sharp & Bickell this offseason, you're going to get significant salary in return. Crawford should net you a combination of some very nice picks, players etc that will take away significant salary from your cap situation. And, unless I've been living in a hole, me thinks Darling might not do so bad put in a situation where he's the number one goalie.

Not in the playoffs. Can win all the games you want in the regular season but it doesn't mean poop if you can't win in the playoffs. Was hoping the Sharks would fire him last offseason and bring in Trotz. Will be interesting to see who his replacement is and hopefully for the Sharks, it's someone fresh to the organization.
- Assman22

Trotz - what has he ever won? Nothing and it doesn't look real favourable for him again this year either.

McLellan coached what he was given by Doug Wilson, who is really the guy that needs to move on. McLellan had an out in his contract, he didn't get fired.

I do find it interesting that Rosenbloom (local media columnist in Chicago) is now speculating on whether or not Crawford might be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Something I know JJ, and I and others, have postulated for months.

If you're going to trade Sharp & Bickell this offseason, you're going to get significant salary in return. Crawford should net you a combination of some very nice picks, players etc that will take away significant salary from your cap situation. And, unless I've been living in a hole, me thinks Darling might not do so bad put in a situation where he's the number one goalie.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I've been thinking the same thing. Shedding Sharp, Bickell, Shaw and/or Versteeg only gets you so far filling roster spots. Trading Crawford frees up $6 mil more in options for the rest of the roster. Use $5 million of that to sign a solid number 5 defenseman not named Rundblad/Rozsival/Timonen and fill in the 6th spot with either Johns/Pokka/Paliotta and the defense corps looks much better on paper.

Time will tell.

It's becoming clear to me that Versteeg has been given a role: Agitate and keep attention away from Kaner to free up some space--which he seems more than happy to do. He can also keep up with 88 as well.

Further, on a line with Kane is about the only place he's worked out much of the year. Not saying he doesn't have his warts (maddeningly so at times), but he's largely doing what Q expects of him IMO
- grinder10

Maybe, but really it just seems that Versteeg is trying too hard to be Kane. And since Steeg doesn't possess the abilities that Kane does, he ends up flopping all over the place and looking foolish.

Trotz - what has he ever won? Nothing and it doesn't look real favourable for him again this year either.

McLellan coached what he was given by Doug Wilson, who is really the guy that needs to move on. McLellan had an out in his contract, he didn't get fired.
- RickJ

I could see him (McLellan) landing in Philly.

Trotz - what has he ever won? Nothing and it doesn't look real favourable for him again this year either.

McLellan coached what he was given by Doug Wilson, who is really the guy that needs to move on. McLellan had an out in his contract, he didn't get fired.
- RickJ

I certainly can't say I'd blame McLellan -- that situation w/ the Sharks seems to be pretty toxic, even from far away. Certainly seems like a very good coach, that is for certain.

I wonder if Babcock moves on from Detroit if McLellan would be a candidate there. Maybe Boston?

I've been thinking the same thing. Shedding Sharp, Bickell, Shaw and/or Versteeg only gets you so far filling roster spots. Trading Crawford frees up $6 mil more in options for the rest of the roster. Use $5 million of that to sign a solid number 5 defenseman not named Rundblad/Rozsival/Timonen and fill in the 6th spot with either Johns/Pokka/Paliotta and the defense corps looks much better on paper.

Time will tell.
- MNHawk

Saad is due a healthy salary increase this year - my spidey senses tell me that he isn't going anywhere.

I certainly can't say I'd blame McLellan -- that situation w/ the Sharks seems to be pretty toxic, even from far away. Certainly seems like a very good coach, that is for certain.

I wonder if Babcock moves on from Detroit if McLellan would be a candidate there. Maybe Boston?
- stp1978

Forgot about Boston.

Yep Yep Yep.

Q is right more than he is wrong.

Go look at the history of the Hawks with him...he made huge lineup decisions in 2010, 2013, and even last year that either aided the Hawks in winning the Cup or go em close.

I still go back to his 2010 decision to SPLIT UP Kane and Toews and move Ladd up from line 3 to the top 6 that basically took that Philly series from a big question mark to a quick close out.

We also have to remember the Saad/Shaw/Kane move after the Dings got up 3-1 last year...that move damn near got us another Cup. The cynic would say, "why didn't he do it sooner?".... the optimist says most don't even make that move and that's why Q is doing what he's doing and I'm doing what I'm doing.
- kwolf68

The Wings were up 3-1 in 2013 and we did win another Cup.