If you read only one thing about it (besides this post of course), read this.  There so much speculation and confusion about this whole RIM-Jim Phoenix cluster-<ahem> that I couldn’t make heads or tails of it until I read that article.

From my perspective, there are two major reasons why Balsillie will not end up owning the Phoenix Coyotes:

1. Gary Bettman will do everything in his power, and several things outside of it, to maintain the illusion that hockey can be an American entertainment powerhouse.
2. Gary Bettman hates Jim Balsillie.

You can’t get this kind of analysis just anywhere.

So I watched the WorSharks for the first time this year on the AHL streamer, playing $8 for the privilege, and I have to say, it was pretty successful.  The feed was steady and relatively clear.  The audio was the radio feed, and I thought the broadcasters were pretty good.

The game, however, was all too familiar.  The Sharks came out like gangbusters, dominated play in the first period, then made one bad mistake late in the first, and the Providence Bruins scored.  The Sharks came back to tie the game at one with a beautiful feed from Logan Couture to Riley Armstrong in the slot.   But then the Sharks seemed to lose interest.  The Bruins picked up steam as the game went on, and despite several spectacular saves by Thomas Griess, managed to extend the lead to two goals.  DeSilva had a laser wrist shot under the crossbar to make it 3-2 in the third, so there was a bit of drama, but Providence scored an empty-netter to put the game away.

Now the Sharks are down 2-0, heading to Providence for game 3.  They continue to face the hottest goaltender in the AHL, Tukka Rask, who hasn’t given up more than 2 goals this entire postseason.  These parallels are starting to get sickening.  I’m trying to get AWAY from the crushing playoff disappointment, dammit!

You may remember EJ from episode 38, and he’s back again. This time EJ Hradek of ESPN and NHL Live fame comes on to break down the Sharks first-round loss to the Ducks. Also, the inevitable questions are asked and answered about what specific needs the Sharks have, and where they might go from here.

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Check out this weeks podcast, where ESPN’s EJ Hradek breaks down the Sharks and what went wrong. Some extremely interesting observations by EJ – that should lead to some interesting conversations in the coming months. I’m still holding back from offering my suggestions on who must go, what the Sharks need, etc. until after the Calder Cup playoffs because I do believe this is a major piece of the offseason puzzle. Do the Sharks have anyone in their system that can fill the needs identified by Doug Wilson? Do they have enough depth at certain positions to make a trade from strength to address an area of weakness? It’s a crucial step in the offseason process, but not the first. I’ll take a stab at that first step in my next post as we all weigh in on how to make this team a Stanley Cup winner and not a first round loser.

Last night after referee Brad Watson blew his whistle too early (isn’t there medication for that?) and disallowed what should have been a game tying goal that sent the Ducks/Wings to OT in Game Three, it sure appears that Detroit is headed down the same path of the San Jose Sharks. TSN analysts were livid over the disallowed goal, saying it could cost Detroit the series and common sense should prevail in matters like this – when it’s a goal, it’s a goal. But Bob McKenzie said it best when he commented that you just can’t make up the rule book as you go – and when the referee loses sight of the puck, right or wrong, once the whistle blows – the play is dead – and so are the Red Wings. The Ducks are in a prime position. Detroit is clearly frustrated and the Ducks have already ousted “Detroit-Lite” in the Sharks, with the same general coaching system with similar roster players, except Detroit’s have a much better track record (obviously). The point is, the Ducks know how to beat this type of team, Anaheim just did it and did it well – so taking out Detroit isn’t as far-fetched as it looks on the surface. Add in the fact that the Red Wings are without Rafalski and that Hiller has a .949% save percentage in the first three games and continues to look like a world beater – it’s looking pretty darn good for those #&*-damn Ducks.

Game Two between the Providence Bruins and Worcester Sharks is today at 4pm, pacific. Keep the playoff fever.

Sharks playoff hockey isn’t over….

I am going to fulfill my hockey addiction by following the Calder Cup playoff chase and our very own AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, in their battle with the Providence Bruins. Game One has already been played, a 2OT loss in Providence where Jamie McGinn scored two goals, but the Sharks dropped the contest 3-2.

Why should you drop the $8/per game to watch AHL hockey online? Well, with the many roster decisions Doug Wilson has on the horizon, it will allow you a sneak peek into some of the prospects that will play a major role in what happens this offseason.

Exhibit A: Jamie McGinn – He is going to be on the big club next year. Will a top nine forward be moved in order to make room for him to get important minutes? I think it’s very possible.

Exhibit B: Thomas Griess – Better than 50/50 that Greiss is backing up Nabby next year and this kid could be the future of the San Jose Sharks in net. His 2.02 GAA and .922% Save Pct in seven Calder playoff games is the type of performance we could have used against Anaheim…..

Exhibit C: Derek Joslin, Mike Moore and Nick Petrecki – One of these three defensemen could find themselves playing a regular top six shift for the San Jose Sharks next year. Time to check them out and see what they have to offer when they play major minutes. Joslin and Moore both wear an “A” for Worcester, Joslin’s numbers and AHL All Star game selection suggest he could be an effective puck mover if given the chance. Moore just loves to lay people out. Petrecki has yet to suit up after signing recently….I would imagine DW demands he get ice time so the GM can take a look for himself.

Exhibit D: Logan Couture – I watched him dominate the OHL playoff game as the go-to guy for the Ottawa 67’s. He has size, speed and scoring touch. He isn’t afraid to play physical, from what I saw. Not too far fetched to think he might be a player in the San Jose Sharks future in the next year, or so….

Exhibit E: Any role player on the Worcester roster (Staubitz, Armstrong, Vesce, Cavanaugh, etc) will get a long look to see if they can play a role on a San Jose 4th line or as a healthy scratch. They have an opportunity to make a case for Plihal/Goc/Lemieux’s roster spot.

Check it out. Their next game is Tuesday, May 5 and you can watch it online for $8 at this website. I think it’s worth the money….then again I have a hockey problem. Sharkspage has great Worcester coverage and recaps if that’s more your speed.

So the playoffs aren’t over. I’ve always dreamed of Brad Staubitz raising the Calder in front of 2000 people wearing Red Sox caps, haven’t you?