Sharks Sign Marc-Eduoard Vlasic to Extension
(I originally wrote this article for Bleacher Report. The inset photo is courtesy of sjsharks.nhl.com.)
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According to sjsharks.nhl.com, the San Jose Sharks have signed defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic to a four-year contract extension. Combined with the one year left on his original contract, Vlasic is now locked up for five seasons.
The new deal is reported to be for an average around $3.1 million per year. According to Hockey Buzz, he is slated to make $1.1 million this season, but in this morning’s San Jose Mercury News, his salary is $735,000. If the Mercury News is correct, his shuld more than make up the $225,000+ Hockey Buzz shows the Sharks being over the cap.
“Marc-Edouard is one of the top young defenceman in the game and we are excited to have him in the fold for the next several years,” Read the rest of this entry »
NHL Top Ten Unit, Part I (Goaltending)
Unfortunately, the campaign for Nabby’s Vezina fell short because of pro-Brodeur, East Coast bias
It all starts with goaltending, and so does this list. I will examine which teams have the best goaltending going into the 2008-2009 season, with heavy emphasis on the #1 goalie all teams rely on in the playoffs.
- Anaheim Ducks: I have heard a lot of people claim Jean-Sebastien Giguere is on his way down. I do not know where these ideas come from. The man is 31 years old, hardly an age for decline at the position. He is just one year removed from leading his team to the Stanley Cup, and was a candidate for his second Conn Smythe that year. Sure, he did not fare well in the Dallas series, but you try facing that power play that often! Moreover, he is backed up by a very solid Jonas Hiller.
- San Jose Sharks: the Ducks’ rivals have the man who should have won the Vezina last season (reputation playing too large a role) for leading the league in starts and wins, and among the leaders in goals against average. Read the rest of this entry »
Pacific Division Prognostications
This IS Sharks Territory.
In the past ten years (since the league went to the three divisions per conference format), only once has someone other than the Sharks or Stars won the Pacific Division Title. That was in 2006-7 when the Ducks won en route to their Stanley Cup title.
(Gosh, it still hurts to say that–I have to make a quick run to the bathroom!)
(Any of you college partiers know how one gets that taste out of their mouth after the repercussions of over-imbibing besides having another beer?)
Anyhow, looking to this season, I expect more of the same. While the division is deep, the race for the top is between San Jose (the front-runner), Dallas (the very worthy challenger), and Anaheim (the Darkhorse). But I will examine everyone in this division in the order I expect them to finish.
Keeping Up on Team News
Lukas Kaspar with the Worcester Sharks, where he has had most of his action since being drafted in 2004
Summer is the doldrums for the NHL. Little happens in the nine weeks between the first week of free agency and the opening of training camp.
Here at The Cold Shoulder, we understand that fans are not satisfied with no news. That is why I promise to get something of value posted to start each week despite the drought. Here are three items of note:
The team has announced it has re-signed 6′2″, 220 #, 2004 first round pick (22nd in the draft) Lukas Kaspar, a restricted free agent. In keeping with team policy, no terms were announced, but let’s face it, this has to be a league minimum contract.
In the three non-strike years since being drafted, Kaspar has played a grand total Read the rest of this entry »
Sharks Fans Passions Cloud Perceptions
Sometime ago we had a couple polls on this site, the answers to which are completely inconsistent. Fan vote said the biggest problem the team had was lack of leadership, and yet they clung to Patty Marleau, suggesting even that I was nuts to want him traded.
Both things cannot be true. He, as captain, is responsible for the team’s perceived lack of leadership. Therefore, one cannot be nuts for suggesting he be moved.
For the record, I am glad he was not traded and do expect him to bounce back this year. The reason I was calling for the trade Read the rest of this entry »
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