All Star Game and Second Half Predictions
January 24th, 2009, 1:14 pm
Whether you think the All Star game is amazing (some) or a snooze-fest (me), the 2nd half of the best season in Sharks history is soon upon us. This year we can all look ourselves in the mirror and say, “Damn, we look good…how might I look holding a Cup?”.
This whole “you have to sit out a game” business from Bettman being enforced is such a double standard by the league. Let me get this straight: The NHL supports teams and players being wildly vague about a players injury, encouraging deception to protect the players health but when it comes to a meaningless exhibition game, the NHL expects full disclosure and for a player to travel, even if injured, for the good of the league and at the detriment of their team. This is garbage. Sure, Crosby flew out and participated in non-NHL activities while injured, which I’m sure Penguins management was thrilled about him getting on a plane, staying in a hotel and risking more injury while they battle for a playoff spot. Come on Bettman. If you really want to punish these guys, how about if they refuse an All-Star assignment, they are no longer eligible to participate in the All Star festivities the next year, no matter what kind of year they are having. Let’s keep our focus on what really matters here, the season. Yeesh.
I will watch the game tomorrow to see our boys in action, but before then, let’s speculate on the trade deadline and the race for playoff positioning.
– The Sharks will end up with the #1 seed for the Western Conference and the franchises first ever President’s Trophy.
– The Red Wings will be the #2 seed and add an impact veteran player to their roster who will be a pending UFA. Keith Tkachuk and Mike Knuble fit this description.
– The Phoenix Coyotes, while vying for a playoff spot, will have a fire sale of high priced players including Jokinen and Jovo-Cop.
– Columbus Blue Jackets will make the playoffs on the back of Calder Trophy winner, Steve Mason.
– Torrey Mitchell will be like adding a player at the trade deadline, so ironically the Sharks will actually be a seller – moving a forward to clear space for Mitchell. Goc or Plihal are the likely suspects.
Sharks are back on Tuesday against a bunch of no-namers in Avalanche uniforms. See you then.
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Although I agree with most of this, I don’t think we’ll see Goc go. He’s too big of an asset on faceoffs. If it’s game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, Sharks are up by one goal with 10 seconds left in the third period and a faceoff is in our zone, it’ll be Goc to win that faceoff and end the game.
Just take a look at who took all final faceoffs in the last game against Detroit, and who also won them all.
As for me, I think we’ll see Cheechoo take his train elsewhere which will allow some space to add Mitchell and add another mid-tier defenseman with Cup winning experience.
Keeping a player in the lineup just because he wins faceoffs about 10% of the time more than anyone else seems to me like a pretty poor use of resources. He is much more valuable to a rebuilding team as a #3 center than to the Sharks as a faceoff specialist, which means he should be prime trade bait.
I have a feeling that Cheechoo is going to have a good 2nd half, particularly if he gets time with better linemates. Prediction: 15 goals in the 2nd half.
I like the punishment for all star no shows. Seems different than hiding injuries so other teams don’t key in. This is for the fans, and that fans should get to see who they want.