Tim Chiasson: Offense vs Defense: Who Is More To Blame? I've dropped enough bombs on Niemi for the time being, let's compare the Sharks offense and defense and spread the blame around a little.

Defense!

Defense!
- claimdenied

I had a sneaking suspicion you might say that claimdenied.

Tim Chiasson: Offense vs Defense: Who Is More To Blame?
I've dropped enough bombs on Niemi for the time being, let's compare the Sharks offense and defense and spread the blame around a little.
- Tim Chiasson

I blame Emerson Etem...

Good post Tim.

I think it would help if the D could keep the puck in the offensive zone... they're horrible at keeping the puck in. Demers was the worst at it, so lets at least be thankful he's gone.

I can't count the number of times I've yelled at the TV begging the Sharks D to maintain the zone.

Also, a bunch of guys on here rag on our bottom 6, but the last games forward lineup was pretty deep with a 4th line of Desi, Sheps & Kennedy. If only they could play with a little more heart (and by a little... I mean a lot). I agree that a top 4 defensemen is needed if the Sharks are ever going to return to form.

In my opinion a more accurate way of comparing our offense and defense is to use G/GP and GA/GP.

G/GP

2014-15 (so far): 2.76
Goals scored in last four years: 849 / 294 GP = 2.89
Difference: -0.13

GA/GP

2014-15 (so far): 2.69
Goals against in last four years: 739 / 294 GP = 2.51
Difference: +0.18

EDIT: Made these a little more accurate so the lockout seasons don't skew the numbers. Upon further inspection, our goals are down a little and goals allowed are up a tiny bit more.

In my opinion a more accurate way of comparing our offense and defense is to use G/GP and GA/GP.

G/GP

2014-15 (so far): 2.76
Average from last four years: 2.74
Difference: +0.02

2013-14: 2.92
2012-13: 2.42
2011-12: 2.67
2010-11: 2.96

GA/GP

2014-15 (so far): 2.69
Average from last four years: 2.43
Difference: +0.26

2013-14: 2.35
2012-13: 2.33
2011-12: 2.50
2010-11: 2.54

Statistically our offence is right on average but our defence is worse.
- Sharks_12

I get where you're coming from.

The problem I have with using goals against is that Niemi is a below average starter. He's as much - if not more - to credit for the uptick in goals against than the defence. Shots against and scoring chances against, though, he can't control - outside of when he gives up a gift on a rebound so for me the SA60, SCA60 are a more personal indication on the defenders than GA/g.

The reason I didn't use goals for is because it's a common theme that their goals are down, I wanted to look past just simply the fact that they are down and get to why they are down and possible contributions for the decline.

Tim Chiasson: Offense vs Defense: Who Is More To Blame?
I've dropped enough bombs on Niemi for the time being, let's compare the Sharks offense and defense and spread the blame around a little.
- Tim Chiasson

This has been a transition year plus with Todd's crazy lineups i'm sure have more to do with those numbers.

Also i don't mind Tennyson playing & getting NHL minutes, he reminds me of Erhoff when he was coming up as a Shark.............it's (frank)ing Hannan's spot that needs to be upgraded, Dougie has to just remove him from the team or else Todd will always play him if you think i'm joking i'm not who's playing in Vlasic's spot on the top pair ...............Hannan It should be Dillon in that spot right now.

But we badly need a puck moving defenseman for that 2nd pair to go with Braun.

Scott and Goodrow in for Desi and Kennedy. I'm happy with that. Desi and TK didn't have a good game against Calgary.

As the numbers have shown me I am of the opinion of neither the offense nor defence being more to blame than the other as they are both about the same level worse.

But I do have a few questions for everyone:

1. Is it your opinion that this team needs five top 4 defencemen?

2. If you answered no to number 1, do you consider one of Braun or Dillon to not be a top 4 defenceman?

3. If you answered yes to number 2, would you care to explain why?

Scott in for Kennedy. I'm happy with that.
- Sharksdivision

Scott and Goodrow in for Desi and Kennedy. I'm happy with that. Desi and TK didn't have a good game against Calgary.
- Sharksdivision

Who did?!

- Sharks_12

If it's any consolation, I'm president of the John Scott and Mike Brown fan club.

As the numbers have shown me I am of the opinion of neither the offense nor defence being more to blame than the other as they are both about the same level worse.

But I do have a few questions for everyone:

1. Is it your opinion that this team needs five top 4 defencemen?

2. If you answered no to number 1, do you consider one of Braun or Dillon to not be a top 4 defenceman?

3. If you answered yes to number 2, would you care to explain why?
- Sharks_12

Vlasic/Burns
???/Braun

To me i wouldn't re-sign Dillon i'd flip him in a trade inthe offseason we need a puck mover for that 2nd pair with Braun..........then the 3rd pair Mirco with Tennyson/Demelo.

Who did?!
- claimdenied

I agree, but I hold the 4th line guys more accountable. Their job is to create some energy, make hits, or get some scoring opportunities. They didn't do enough of that.

One opinion I will disagree with is that the article mentions that our top 6 forwards look good so we should not upgrade the forward group.

A few thoughts:

1. More and more teams that win are teams that don't just have a great top 6 but an above average bottom 6 as well.

2. We play our top 6 a lot of minutes which leaves them tired once playoffs come and it shows in their decreased performance.

3. I have never really been that concerned with the regular season performance of any of our players. It is our playoff performance that concerns me.

4. Historically our bottom 6 forwards have not done well at all in the playoffs.

5. Now that I think about it, historically most of our groups have not done well in the playoffs so it's probably a moot point anyway.

If it's any consolation, I'm president of the John Scott and Mike Brown fan club.
- Sharksdivision

I feel like this article was written just for you Sharksdivision.
http://www.battleofcali.c...-true-captain-of-san-jose

One opinion I will disagree with is that the article mentions that our top 6 forwards look good so we should not upgrade the forward group.

A few thoughts:

1. More and more teams that win are teams that don't just have a great top 6 but an above average bottom 6 as well.

2. We play our top 6 a lot of minutes which leaves them tired once playoffs come and it shows in their decreased performance.

3. I have never really been that concerned with the regular season performance of any of our players. It is our playoff performance that concerns me.

4. Historically our bottom 6 forwards have not done well at all in the playoffs.

5. Now that I think about it, historically most of our groups have not done well in the playoffs so it's probably a moot point anyway.
- Sharks_12

We've always got plugs on the 4th line who can't play hockey.........you gotta be able to get 10 to 12min out of that 4th line..............i see Scott's in the lineup today that means he'll play 8min & make the 4th line worthless today.

One opinion I will disagree with is that the article mentions that our top 6 forwards look good so we should not upgrade the forward group.

A few thoughts:

1. More and more teams that win are teams that don't just have a great top 6 but an above average bottom 6 as well.

2. We play our top 6 a lot of minutes which leaves them tired once playoffs come and it shows in their decreased performance.

3. I have never really been that concerned with the regular season performance of any of our players. It is our playoff performance that concerns me.

4. Historically our bottom 6 forwards have not done well at all in the playoffs.

5. Now that I think about it, historically most of our groups have not done well in the playoffs so it's probably a moot point anyway.
- Sharks_12

That's in context with the rest of the article. The underwhelming performance of the defense requires more immediate attention than the addition of a depth forward, especially when you take into the account the state of the Sharks goaltending. A depth forward isn't going to fix the blueline/goal for next year.

I'm not opposed to upgrading the the depth group but the more pressing need with the current structure of this team is on defence - if only to shelter whatever below average goaltender is picked up as a UFA this year.

I feel like this article was written just for you Sharksdivision.
http://www.battleofcali.c...-true-captain-of-san-jose
- SJSharks39

#CaptainJohnScott

Nabby's retirement press conference is on NHL network right now.

#CaptainJohnScott
- Sharksdivision

I blame Emerson Etem...


- Team_Teal

Torres?

You summed it up Tim, wish those jackasses from yesterday were around to read your post today. Its more than just a Nemo issue as you pointed out and as all us fans knew. Flame fans thinking they know whats up with this team

This has been a transition year plus with Todd's crazy lineups i'm sure have more to do with those numbers.

Also i don't mind Tennyson playing & getting NHL minutes, he reminds me of Erhoff when he was coming up as a Shark.............it's (frank)ing Hannan's spot that needs to be upgraded, Dougie has to just remove him from the team or else Todd will always play him if you think i'm joking i'm not who's playing in Vlasic's spot on the top pair ...............Hannan It should be Dillon in that spot right now.

But we badly need a puck moving defenseman for that 2nd pair to go with Braun.
- SJSharks39

We might as well play all the kids because this season has us near .500 anyways. (.573)