Well, it's been quite an interesting week and a half since I last post, somethings have been put into perspective and some drastic measures have been taken.
First we must say goodbye to a beloved member of the Sharks broadcast family, Drew Remenda was not offered an extension on his current contract that expires on June 30th of this year. In his interview with Greg Wyshynski and Jeff Marek, Drew explained that the decision came from the upper management, more specifically the final decision was with new Sharks COO John Tortora.1What really disgusts me is the fact that a man who has been in the COO position for less than 18 months is making a decision on a broadcaster who has been with the Sharks in some capacity for over 20 years! For newer fans of the Sharks (myself included, I started watching games religiously in 2009) Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda have been the only dynamic duo of broadcasters we have known. I'm am so upset about this latest slap in the face by Sharks management that I'm considering the idea of starting an online petition to have him reinstated. From the Twitter, Fan, and Mass Media reaction its safe to say about 80% have viewed this as a massive negative mark on the Sharks organization.
The second bit of shocking news for the day is that the San Jose Sharks may in fact be in financial trouble. According to Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News the Sharks are trying to renegotiate their Television rights deal with Comcast Sports, which they signed in 2009. Apparently the deal is only good for $7 million dollars a year, compared to markets like Los Angeles and Anaheim which come in at about $20 million dollars plus. It's to the point where the Sharks could threaten to leave and is so perilous that Gary Bettman the Commissioner of the NHL has personally stepped in to help negotiate.2 Before we all start to panic at possibility the Sharks could relocate we must realise that the city has a vested interest in the team (the team bears the city name), Comcast Sports has a binding contract, and the Sharks have leased the SAP Center; these factors alone will by sometime to hammer out a fair T.V. deal for the team. In addition, I find it incredibly hard to believe that the other owners and governors would allow the NHL to vacate from a major media market namely the greater Bay Area.
Blow after blow this summer is turning into nightmare, what will we have to deal with next? All i know is that the most volatile time of this franchise's history will be in the next week leading up to the draft where are beloved team could be dismantled.
1 MvsW Interview with Drew Remenda
2 Mark Purdy article San Jose Mercury News
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?
Welcome to another edition of the Puck Sharks Blog, since we last left off Dan Boyle was shipped to the New York Islanders for a conditional draft pick and the rumor mill surrounding Joe Thornton has begun to swell.
First, Dan Boyle as reported by the San Jose Shark organization has been dealt to New York Islanders for a conditional 4th round draft selection in the 2015 class. If Dan Boyle is signed to a contract by the Islanders the Sharks are given the aforementioned 4th round pick, if he chooses to resign with another team July 1st (as his contract will be up) the Sharks will be given a 5th round pick in the same draft. Its also worth mentioning that the Sharks own an extra 4th round pick in the 2015 draft from a trade that sent forward T.J. Galiardi to the Calgary Flames in exchange for this pick.
My overall feeling of this trade is a positive one for the Sharks, the Sharks get a pick for a pending unrestricted free agent who they had no intention of resigning and stated as such. From the Islanders perspective this seems like an unnecessary gamble, if Boyle chooses not to resign they have given up a 5th round pick essentially for nothing. Boyle was set to become a free agent July 1st and the Islanders could have offered him a contract then. I believe that Garth Snow thinks he can persuade Dan Boyle to resign with the Islanders after seeing the state of their club and the future of the franchise in Brooklyn, but again a 4th round pick seems like a steep price to pay for essentially 1 month of exclusive negotiating time.
The next bit of information surrounding the Sharks includes a rumor about current captain Joe Thornton, The Globe and Mail reports that the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs have apparent interest in upgrading their center depth.1 While a trade to Anaheim seems highly unlikely given the natural in-division rivalry, the Ducks wealth of defensive and forward prospects make an attractive trade partner at first glance. However it must be stated that the likely hood of the Sharks making the playoffs significantly diminishes if both or even just one of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are moved this off-season. As devoted as the Sharks fans are, I fear that 2-3 losing seasons of hockey will diminish interest in the sport here in the Bay Area like other larger marks (for example Chicago).
Honestly, the Sharks greatest chance at securing the Stanley Cup is to continue to stay the course with the current roster and change the message from the front office. I feel like Joe Thornton needs to buy more into the fast\aggressive style of hockey the Sharks want to employ by simply shooting the puck more. Now I know the old adage "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" will apply to Jumbo, however I think if the coaching staff explains to him the benefits of shooting a little more will actually make the passing lanes open up a more so he can make that picturesque play he could buy in. In addition I think that applying a little pressure from management on Joe in the form of trade rumors could heat the seat up a little.
Anyway, more articles coming in the off-season discussing the moves and proposals involving the Sharks.
1 Globe and Mail Article plus Toronto Sun Article
Also here is a great resource for Draft Pick Ownership in the NHL
First, Dan Boyle as reported by the San Jose Shark organization has been dealt to New York Islanders for a conditional 4th round draft selection in the 2015 class. If Dan Boyle is signed to a contract by the Islanders the Sharks are given the aforementioned 4th round pick, if he chooses to resign with another team July 1st (as his contract will be up) the Sharks will be given a 5th round pick in the same draft. Its also worth mentioning that the Sharks own an extra 4th round pick in the 2015 draft from a trade that sent forward T.J. Galiardi to the Calgary Flames in exchange for this pick.
My overall feeling of this trade is a positive one for the Sharks, the Sharks get a pick for a pending unrestricted free agent who they had no intention of resigning and stated as such. From the Islanders perspective this seems like an unnecessary gamble, if Boyle chooses not to resign they have given up a 5th round pick essentially for nothing. Boyle was set to become a free agent July 1st and the Islanders could have offered him a contract then. I believe that Garth Snow thinks he can persuade Dan Boyle to resign with the Islanders after seeing the state of their club and the future of the franchise in Brooklyn, but again a 4th round pick seems like a steep price to pay for essentially 1 month of exclusive negotiating time.
The next bit of information surrounding the Sharks includes a rumor about current captain Joe Thornton, The Globe and Mail reports that the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs have apparent interest in upgrading their center depth.1 While a trade to Anaheim seems highly unlikely given the natural in-division rivalry, the Ducks wealth of defensive and forward prospects make an attractive trade partner at first glance. However it must be stated that the likely hood of the Sharks making the playoffs significantly diminishes if both or even just one of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are moved this off-season. As devoted as the Sharks fans are, I fear that 2-3 losing seasons of hockey will diminish interest in the sport here in the Bay Area like other larger marks (for example Chicago).
Honestly, the Sharks greatest chance at securing the Stanley Cup is to continue to stay the course with the current roster and change the message from the front office. I feel like Joe Thornton needs to buy more into the fast\aggressive style of hockey the Sharks want to employ by simply shooting the puck more. Now I know the old adage "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink" will apply to Jumbo, however I think if the coaching staff explains to him the benefits of shooting a little more will actually make the passing lanes open up a more so he can make that picturesque play he could buy in. In addition I think that applying a little pressure from management on Joe in the form of trade rumors could heat the seat up a little.
Anyway, more articles coming in the off-season discussing the moves and proposals involving the Sharks.
1 Globe and Mail Article plus Toronto Sun Article
Also here is a great resource for Draft Pick Ownership in the NHL
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