Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
Roto Exclusive : Guest Contributions and Featured Articles
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y Tim Graveline<br />
Murky Waters <strong>and</strong> Feeding Grounds<br />
The San Jose Sharks are in a very weird place. This is a complete understatement considering<br />
the lack of activity that has taken place this off-season. The owners <strong>and</strong> Doug Wilson spoke about<br />
change in the air. So far, they have signed Brad Stuart, which was rumored <strong>and</strong> expected for quite some<br />
time <strong>and</strong> they signed Adam Burish for grit <strong>and</strong> depth. Nothing big has happened like the fans expected<br />
after the owners vowed to be aggressive. The fans are confused <strong>and</strong> left wanting so much more. Murky<br />
waters, indeed.<br />
Fans have been clamoring for the trade of Patrick Marleau. He has been the scapegoat <strong>and</strong> I<br />
admit that I am in that camp. He is an excellent player, but there really isn’t a great place for him. He<br />
doesn’t fit well with Thornton, <strong>and</strong> he has had chemistry with Pavelski <strong>and</strong> Clowe, but those two have<br />
better chemistry with Martin Havlat (when he’s healthy). So it makes sense to many that he’d be traded<br />
for depth, draft picks (which the team sorely needs), or a different top 6 forward who would mesh<br />
better with the rest of the team or bring more grit to the top six. Marleau <strong>and</strong> the rest of the Sharks are<br />
entering feeding grounds this season. How this team starts <strong>and</strong> enters December will dictate the fate of<br />
the core.<br />
So what to expect this year then as long as there is not a<br />
full lockout? A couple things. The Sharks are probably a better<br />
team than they were. They have more depth behind the<br />
blueline. They have some more flexibility to make some trades<br />
due to that. Do not be surprised to see this team start off with a<br />
bang. Everyone is healthy at the start this season <strong>and</strong> guys like<br />
Couture <strong>and</strong> Pavelski want to win. This team will either start a<br />
fire sale in February or be on the hunt for another playoff berth.<br />
The top players to watch this season are Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, <strong>and</strong> Dan Boyle. I think<br />
Couture will take another step in the right direction. Expect him to hit 70 points this season. Marleau is<br />
either going to have the quietest 75 point season or is going to be traded. Dan Boyle has been in trade<br />
rumors this summer <strong>and</strong> I even feel like he is the most lucrative piece they have that they might be<br />
willing to trade. He is getting old, but the guy can lead <strong>and</strong> still is a number one defenseman. They have<br />
Burns to take over <strong>and</strong> if he does this year, expect Boyle’s names to circulate the rumourmonger blogs<br />
all season long. This truly is a pivotal year for the Sharks as their core contracts are ending soon. Will<br />
the Sharks begin an overhaul this season or make one last push for that elusive Cup <strong>and</strong> be the third <strong>and</strong><br />
final Californian team to win the cup in the last decade?<br />
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