I am a huge fan of Marleau, but even I have become convinced that it may be time for a change of scenery. Just two years ago he was a 44 goal scorer and lead the lead in goals for the first third of the year. Last year 37, this year he gets 30 in the last game of the year. He still has the skill to be a 40+ goal scorer, he has the size and skill to be an elite winger/center.

The obvious issue is he is very selective with using the skill, speed and size he possesses. It would also be nice if he would throw checks when the opportunity presented itself. I for one will not be too upset if he stays, and I am sure I am alone in this. He did string together 3 good seasons after his last dissapointing one in 07-08. He has had some good series in the post season as well. But at $6.9 million it becomes hard to justify taking a chance. It is difficult to make a case when players making around half the money produce the same point totals.

There is one thing I cannot figure out. I get the frustration of a quick ending to a bad season. I do not understand the purpose in pointing out that this is the quickest exit in the playoffs. To me, losing in 5 as a 7 seed is easier to take than losing in 6 as the President's Trophy winner. Right Vancouver? But I digress.

So Doug Wilson has made too many terrible deals, has brought in players that were a wrong fit whether it be because of chemistry, skill set, attitude, and so on. The entire Sharks roster needs to be overhauled because the players are too old, have no heart, are too slow, are not skilled enough, etc.

The thing I do not get is the angst against McLellan. If we hold to the premise that DW created a losing roster, and said roster is full of players who cannot get the job done then what was McLellan supposed to do? The Sharks fall apart, his goalie dissapears and he still makes the post season. I am not so sure I am wanting to remove McLellan just yet. The Sharks have won more games since he became the head coach than every team save for Detroit. His "system" lead to back to back WCF appearances.

I get the counter points that if he was able to better motivate his players they could have gone farther. Or that he needed to change the system. But then we argue that he did not have the proper personnel (Wilson) and that the players did not execute (players). It seems most arguments are triangle of blame where each issue falls on the next i.e. Wilson made bad moves to get players we didn't need. McLellan didn't properly coah the players. The players did not play with enough heart or determination. This is because we didn't make the right roster moves and around it goes. But is this fair?

It is difficult to discern what role in the collapse McLellan played. As I admit I am not a hockey insider and do not claim to be omniscient as others do. The power play was attrocious. If he could not motivate players to play the way he wanted then he is rendered ineffective. But with the way we seem to regard the roster, no one could get them to. I know others will point to the Blues and Hitchcock but that is apples and oranges. You are talking about the best goalie tandem in league history in regard to goals allowed. You are talking about a team that had the necessary parts but lacked only leadership. From what I am hearing the Sharks do not have the parts needed, so what good will a coaching change do? I understand the idea of change for the sake of change, but more times than not all it accomplishes is a false sense of accomplishment.

I am a huge fan of Marleau, but even I have become convinced that it may be time for a change of scenery. Just two years ago he was a 44 goal scorer and lead the lead in goals for the first third of the year. Last year 37, this year he gets 30 in the last game of the year. He still has the skill to be a 40+ goal scorer, he has the size and skill to be an elite winger/center.

The obvious issue is he is very selective with using the skill, speed and size he possesses. It would also be nice if he would throw checks when the opportunity presented itself. I for one will not be too upset if he stays, and I am sure I am alone in this. He did string together 3 good seasons after his last dissapointing one in 07-08. He has had some good series in the post season as well. But at $6.9 million it becomes hard to justify taking a chance. It is difficult to make a case when players making around half the money produce the same point totals.
- Hockey_Logic

All joking aside with these we'll take Marleau off your hands comments! Bottom line, he is going nowhere much to the chagrin of many Marleau haters. He has a NTC and has lived in San Jose his entire NHL career. His wife is from San Jose, he's very comfortable here and would have no reason to uproot a family that has such strong ties to their community. Once his contract is up, then you can talk about picking him up as a UFA. But most likely, he'll take a huge pay cut just to stay a shark and retire as one.

You may be correct, save for the Blue Jackets looking to move their own large contract. Well I guess Nash is asking to be moved, and SJ is on his list of potential destinations.

I am fine to keep Marleau after a significant pay cut. But $6.9 for his current play is unacceptable/

[quote=Hockey_Logic

The thing I do not get is the angst against McLellan. If we hold to the premise that DW created a losing roster, and said roster is full of players who cannot get the job done then what was McLellan supposed to do? The Sharks fall apart, his goalie dissapears and he still makes the post season. I am not so sure I am wanting to remove McLellan just yet. The Sharks have won more games since he became the head coach than every team save for Detroit. His "system" lead to back to back WCF appearances.

I get the counter points that if he was able to better motivate his players they could have gone farther. Or that he needed to change the system. But then we argue that he did not have the proper personnel (Wilson) and that the players did not execute (players). It seems most arguments are triangle of blame where each issue falls on the next i.e. Wilson made bad moves to get players we didn't need. McLellan didn't properly coah the players. The players did not play with enough heart or determination. This is because we didn't make the right roster moves and around it goes. But is this fair?

It is difficult to discern what role in the collapse McLellan played. As I admit I am not a hockey insider and do not claim to be omniscient as others do. The power play was attrocious. If he could not motivate players to play the way he wanted then he is rendered ineffective.




The answer



PK strategy or lack thereof, consistent juggling of lines, and most of all lack of an offensive system. McLellan's shoot the puck from anywhere strategy does not work, and is not a strategy. Of Wilson or McLellan, as much as I despise Wilson I would put more blame on a coach, who was UNABLE to make adjustments to the PK (after 2 seasons), unable to adjust his offensive strategy, and unable to see that his goalie was tired.

All joking aside with these we'll take Marleau off your hands comments! Bottom line, he is going nowhere much to the chagrin of many Marleau haters. He has a NTC and has lived in San Jose his entire NHL career. His wife is from San Jose, he's very comfortable here and would have no reason to uproot a family that has such strong ties to their community. Once his contract is up, then you can talk about picking him up as a UFA. But most likely, he'll take a huge pay cut just to stay a shark and retire as one.
- troon

Ship me a draft choice and I would be more then happy to send him too you. With his outrageous salary we could sign to good YOUNG Forwards, who would probably score 25 goals each.

There is one thing I cannot figure out. I get the frustration of a quick ending to a bad season. I do not understand the purpose in pointing out that this is the quickest exit in the playoffs. To me, losing in 5 as a 7 seed is easier to take than losing in 6 as the President's Trophy winner. Right Vancouver? But I digress.

So Doug Wilson has made too many terrible deals, has brought in players that were a wrong fit whether it be because of chemistry, skill set, attitude, and so on. The entire Sharks roster needs to be overhauled because the players are too old, have no heart, are too slow, are not skilled enough, etc.

The thing I do not get is the angst against McLellan. If we hold to the premise that DW created a losing roster, and said roster is full of players who cannot get the job done then what was McLellan supposed to do? The Sharks fall apart, his goalie dissapears and he still makes the post season. I am not so sure I am wanting to remove McLellan just yet. The Sharks have won more games since he became the head coach than every team save for Detroit. His "system" lead to back to back WCF appearances.

I get the counter points that if he was able to better motivate his players they could have gone farther. Or that he needed to change the system. But then we argue that he did not have the proper personnel (Wilson) and that the players did not execute (players). It seems most arguments are triangle of blame where each issue falls on the next i.e. Wilson made bad moves to get players we didn't need. McLellan didn't properly coah the players. The players did not play with enough heart or determination. This is because we didn't make the right roster moves and around it goes. But is this fair?

It is difficult to discern what role in the collapse McLellan played. As I admit I am not a hockey insider and do not claim to be omniscient as others do. The power play was attrocious. If he could not motivate players to play the way he wanted then he is rendered ineffective. But with the way we seem to regard the roster, no one could get them to. I know others will point to the Blues and Hitchcock but that is apples and oranges. You are talking about the best goalie tandem in league history in regard to goals allowed. You are talking about a team that had the necessary parts but lacked only leadership. From what I am hearing the Sharks do not have the parts needed, so what good will a coaching change do? I understand the idea of change for the sake of change, but more times than not all it accomplishes is a false sense of accomplishment.
- Hockey_Logic

This ^

It doesn't matter what kind of coach you put in there with that roster!

Ship me a draft choice and I would be more then happy to send him too you. With his outrageous salary we could sign to good YOUNG Forwards, who would probably score 25 goals each.
- Sharkfan48

I'll be shocked if he ever agrees to go elsewhere. Shark fans are going to have to face the fact that he will probably be a shark for at least the next two years until his contract expires.

I can still dream lol and id love carle! he's a great puck moving defense men
- thew2589

we'd disagree but i suppose we can give him to you guys

Yeah id love to see Lindback a shark!!! but im not counting on it... knowing doug he'll end up getting some one like travis moen cause he thinks he's the answer to all our problems... shoot me in the face.
- thew2589

lindback is an rfa so you'd have to most likely trade for him

lindback is an rfa so you'd have to most likely trade for him
- 2Real

Niemi and a 1st round draft pick

we'd disagree but i suppose we can give him to you guys
- 2Real

haha guess it works out for both of us! lol

Niemi and a 1st round draft pick
- thew2589

i could see them accepting that deal

Niemi and a 1st round draft pick
- thew2589

At this point I'd be suprised if the Sharks still have a 1st to trade until 2020.

The answer

PK strategy or lack thereof, consistent juggling of lines, and most of all lack of an offensive system. McLellan's shoot the puck from anywhere strategy does not work, and is not a strategy. Of Wilson or McLellan, as much as I despise Wilson I would put more blame on a coach, who was UNABLE to make adjustments to the PK (after 2 seasons), unable to adjust his offensive strategy, and unable to see that his goalie was tired.
- Sharkfan48

If a man is UNABLE to spin straw into gold does he bare the shame for his inability or does the shame rest on the one who holds to an unrealistic belief. To argue he was not able is to likewise argue that the opportunity was there and that another could have succeeded. If this is the case, why move any players, just get a new coach? But then we say it is the players fault for underperforming, so perhaps the system would have worked with the right players or if they had stepped up their play and hence the system is fine... Hence my problem, we paint the picture with too broad a brush.

I agree the PK was horrendous and while we added players we did not adjust the "no pressure" approach that allowed other teams to set up the pass through the box for an easy goal. It was a terrible system that can be addressed in more ways than just firing everyone.

Again, it seems like we are blaming a mechanic for not fixing an issue, while at the same time stating that we acknowledge that he does not have the tools required. One could argue his shortfall is then a lack of ability to improvise with what he is given. A fair point but the issue is not as simple as required for this assertion to stand up to scrutiny.

The fall from 4th to 6th to 13th in team scoring percentage is disconcerting, however on most nights we scored enough to win. Then a defensive collapse or soft goal or two would cost the Sharks the win. Or a horrrendous start doomed the team, they were a combined -9 in first period scoring. Compare that with a +19 in the second. The bad angle shots are one item, the inability to create or sustain pressure is a far greater point of concern. It seemed we spent most games after January generating one shot and being sent to chase the puck. As far as line juggling there is no way to win. Keep the lines and it is his fault for not changing things up, changing things up and it is his fault for not giving players more time. Let us not forget that we had a few injuries that made getting any kind of line chemistry more difficult.

As to the goalie, we rode Nabby to death under Wilson, perhaps it is a San Jose philosophy. It definitley predated McLellan, and I would not be suprised if the final say on the matter came from DW himself. Niemi really started to fall apart December-January, granted 68 games is a heavy work load, but he was not near that mark when his play took a significant dive. Then again he never really looked nearly as good as he did down the stretch last year.

By no means do I contend that changes are not required. It is obvious that there are many issues that need to be addressed. But as bad as things are now, more bad moves will simply further add to the list. In anger we may say that we do not care and that any one would do a better job. But I do not believe that to be the case. If there is a better canidate for the position then it makes sense. If not I am not sure what the Sharks would stand to gain.

At this point I'd be suprised if the Sharks still have a 1st to trade until 2020.
- Hockey_Logic

i would hope the sharks have a plan for when they need to reload on talent

You may be correct, save for the Blue Jackets looking to move their own large contract. Well I guess Nash is asking to be moved, and SJ is on his list of potential destinations.

I am fine to keep Marleau after a significant pay cut. But $6.9 for his current play is unacceptable/
- Hockey_Logic

Patty is stuck playing for a coach and a team not built for speed. Patty is great when he can use his speed and he is a better center than a winger. The games during the season where patty looked great is where he caught the other team by chance and could use his speed. When he is with Thorton or Pavs as his center he can't use his speed effectivly. Havlat would be a strong wing for Patty as they both can fly up the ice.

As for being tough on the coach. T-mac didn't do a good job finding chemistry or building it with what he had on hand. The only real change to adjust to who he was playing was maybe a line juble. The PP and PK show a definite issue. Not saying fire T-mac but definatly we need better assistant coaches to fill in the gaps.

Ok send the Sharks McBain and it's a deal
- 2Real

Done.