Tim Chiasson: San Jose Sharks Mid-Season Review The Sharks have finished one half of the NHL season and currently hold a playoff spot. With how the first 41 games have gone I'd call that a major success.

See life without Joe is not so bad after all!

See life without Joe is not so bad after all!
- LeftCoaster

Once again a great piece Tim. Anyone who thinks Pavs isnt worth the cash is crazy. Hes got Heaters shot without the Madonna attitude and the ability to actually play 2 ways. Didnt we pay Dany significantly more? Anyways Pavs pulls in more than 6 per on anyother team easy.

Time to figure out that 3rd pair as that has been one of the most concerning areas this year. Burns Vlasic is interesting, at least it gives Burns a stay at home that has suddenly turned into a GWG god lol.

SMH at Stalock and his puck bobble. I appreciate his aggressiveness handling the puck but please make a decision before two guys storm the gates and where were his D pair hiding?

On the PP:

Here is the extent of our power play as designed by Todd McLellan: "Get Joe Thornton the puck."

It's not that we don't have skill outside of Thornton, it's just that by design Thornton is such a huge part of our power play. Our coaches have never really designed an intelligent PP system that works regardless of who is playing.

Really the biggest thing I have noticed with Thornton gone is that our first PP unit looks as disorganized as our second PP unit always does. To me this is more of a coaching problem than anything else. Some teams can have very little talent but still have very successful power plays.

On trading Thornton:

While I am not crying to get rid of him, I would not be averse to trading Joe Thornton.

I have a problem with those who would ridicule me for stating this. Just because someone might be in favour of trading Thornton doesn't mean we think the team would be better if we subtracted him. Usually how trades work is that you get something in return.

As with any trade, it would depend on the return. If the trade is really good value and gives us a better long term shot at winning the Cup, I'm all for it. As amazing of a hockey player as he is on the ice I don't think he brings any intangibles or positive leadership qualities off the ice. In fact I think he has a detrimental effect on the team but that's merely personal opinion.

Another thing to consider is that we might save some cap space by trading him. While we currently have unused cap space, I think it is important to keep in mind that more cap space gives us more options for adding a few more pieces. An example would be how Boston was able to sign Zdeno Chara and still stay under the cap because Thornton's contract wasn't on the books.

I am still surprised how much trading him is even brought up consider he's gone public several times stating he would not waive. Stranger things have happened but I would say he is the least likely player on our team who will get traded.

On trading Thornton:

While I am not crying to get rid of him, I would not be averse to trading Joe Thornton.

I have a problem with those who would ridicule me for stating this. Just because someone might be in favour of trading Thornton doesn't mean we think the team would be better if we subtracted him. Usually how trades work is that you get something in return.

As with any trade, it would depend on the return. If the trade is really good value and gives us a better long term shot at winning the Cup, I'm all for it. As amazing of a hockey player as he is on the ice I don't think he brings any intangibles or positive leadership qualities off the ice. In fact I think he has a detrimental effect on the team but that's merely personal opinion.

Another thing to consider is that we might save some cap space by trading him. While we currently have unused cap space, I think it is important to keep in mind that more cap space gives us more options for adding a few more pieces. An example would be how Boston was able to sign Zdeno Chara and still stay under the cap because Thornton's contract wasn't on the books.

I am still surprised how much trading him is even brought up consider he's gone public several times stating he would not waive. Stranger things have happened but I would say he is the least likely player on our team who will get traded.
- Sharks_12

Wilson is not interested in making changes

Wilson went into hiding after the playoffs last year, still hiding

Wilson went into hiding after the playoffs last year, still hiding
- VanHockeyGuy

He should be embarrassed by the state of this team.

Wilson is not interested in making changes
- VanHockeyGuy

He has made quite a few changes actually:

Transition Robinson away from the bench
Boyle not re-signed
Buyout Havlat
Strip Thornton of captaincy (this may be more of a McLellan change)
Move Burns to D
Sign Melker Karlsson
Sign John Scott
Trade for Tye McGinn
Trade Demers for Dillion
Waive Burish

On trading Thornton:

While I am not crying to get rid of him, I would not be averse to trading Joe Thornton.

- Sharks_12

No show Marleau is the guy that needs to go. What is it like 19 games since a goal? Melker is a better player at this point.

He has made quite a few changes actually:

Transition Robinson away from the bench
Boyle not re-signed
Buyout Havlat
Strip Thornton of captaincy (this may be more of a McLellan change)
Move Burns to D
Sign Melker Karlsson
Sign John Scott
Trade for Tye McGinn
Trade Demers for Dillion
Waive Burish
- Sharks_12

Enough for different results this year?

No show Marleau is the guy that needs to go. What is it like 19 games since a goal? Melker is a better player at this point.
- BeastModeS62

Are people really surprised with Marleau's goal drought? He goes through those every year! He'll be fine. Now that Karlsson is something else. He's solidified himself a roster spot for the rest of the season.

88 D BRENT BURNS 41 11 22 33 -6 36 4 0 2 116 9.50

12 L PATRICK MARLEAU 41 7 21 28 -6 4 3 0 2 124 5.60

57 C TOMMY WINGELS 41 10 14 24 -2 28 3 1 1 103 9.70

Yup Tommy is producing more than Patty and has a better plus minus. Burns has more goals playing D. I dont get it. Guess after the contract he got it was Miller time and no I dont mean Ryan...

Are people really surprised with Marleau's goal drought? He goes through those every year! He'll be fine. Now that Karlsson is something else. He's solidified himself a roster spot for the rest of the season.
- Sharksdivision

Come on, really? Were paying the guy a small fortune to score goals...

88 D BRENT BURNS 41 11 22 33 -6 36 4 0 2 116 9.50

12 L PATRICK MARLEAU 41 7 21 28 -6 4 3 0 2 124 5.60

57 C TOMMY WINGELS 41 10 14 24 -2 28 3 1 1 103 9.70

Yup Tommy is producing more than Patty and has a better plus minus. Burns has more goals playing D. I dont get it. Guess after the contract he got it was Miller time and no I dont mean Ryan...
- BeastModeS62

Guess who's setting up Wingels.....? That's right, Marleau.

Enough for different results this year?
- VanHockeyGuy

He got rid of some hot garbage but failed to make a real statement move. A culture change. Wilson era is in full effect still.

Guess who's setting up Wingels.....? That's right, Marleau.


- Team_Teal

Yeah anyone could setup Tommy, not just Patrick. Anyone that wants to trade Joe over Patty is nuts...

He should be embarrassed by the state of this team.
- BeastModeS62

Why? Haven't they won something like 12 of their last 16?

Guess who's setting up Wingels.....? That's right, Marleau.


- Team_Teal

Dont get me wrong Tommy isnt lighting the world on fire but you have to raise an eyebrow when the stats are what they are.

Why? Haven't they won something like 12 of their last 16?
- FinAddict

Alot of those were close games, some were stolen.

Why? Haven't they won something like 12 of their last 16?
- FinAddict

I was at last Saturdays game against the BLooooes, pretty embarrassing.

Im interested to hear anyones thoughts on our net minders? Nemo going to go after this year im sure but do we roll with Stalock or do we go after someone?

He got rid of some hot garbage but failed to make a real statement move. A culture change. Wilson era is in full effect still.
- BeastModeS62

He has been there a long time, and I heard the owner likes him. Wilson seems to like the core and status quo.

Im interested to hear anyones thoughts on our net minders? Nemo going to go after this year im sure but do we roll with Stalock or do we go after someone?
- BeastModeS62

Markstom could be had, he just made the AHL all star team, big frame. Got caught in the numbers game in Vancouver. Would be a good fit in SJ.