Swedish Meatballs and a side of Heatley
June 12th, 2009, 8:40 am
On the podcast front, the streak has come to an end at 51 episodes due to illness and other life factors getting in the way of recording. We plan to be back behind the mic next Tuesday and have a major Sharks guest lined up in the coming weeks to talk offseason changes, so stay tuned.
With Game Seven coming up, the offseason is starting to kick-off. We had some spirited discussion about some roster moves on the last post – so let’s hit a few hot topics in the NHL and let ‘er rip.
UFA GOALIE GUSTAVSSON LINKED TO SAN JOSE
With so many areas to address in the offseason, why would the Sharks be looking to sign a high profile international goalie? Well – because this guy might be just too damn good to pass up, especially with Nabby’s recent playoff performance and his uncertain contract status beyond 2009-10. According to Burnside, because Gustavsson is subject to an entry-level deal, it’s not like he’s going to break the bank – which is a perfect situation for the San Jose Sharks. This isn’t going to be about cash for Gustavsson, it’s going to be about either immediate playing time for a lousy team like Colorado or getting into a great situation and waiting his turn, like San Jose. The Sharks have always been way ahead of the curve as far as evaluating goaltending, so if Tim Burke says Gustavsson is the real deal, San Jose should roll out the Douglas Murray Swedish welcome mat, blast the ABBA and offer him as much lutfisk as he can eat. My guess: He ends up in Toronto, where they can offer immediate playing time and he will be a hockey icon.
DOES HEATLEY KNOW THE WAY TO SAN JOSE?
Dany Heatley wants out and according to Andy Strickland at Hockeybuzz (who actually writes some truth from time to time) it looks like a Marleau for Heatley deal is being floated. How do we feel about this, Sharks fans? Heatley’s detractors call him out of shape, lazy and unwilling to do the dirty work. His defenders remind you this is a 40-50 goal scorer and one of the best snipers in the league. The thought of him on Thornton’s side makes me giggle like a schoolgirl – but the character questions are a true concern. If he really is an @#*hole with bad work ethic, McLellan and DW will not add him to the fold of a team that already has their desire to compete in question. My guess: He will not be wearing Teal in the Fall.
LAPERRIERE GOING TO SHARK INFESTED UFA WATERS
The Avalanche continue their classy ways, downgrading a loyal veteran’s contract offer to a one year deal worth less than the 1.1M he made last year – so Laperriere is gonna walk, and who can blame him. With reports that Chris Neil is looking for a four-five year deal (no thanks), I think the Sharks will be unwilling to make that kind of commitment and close in on Ian La-pesky-iere. My guess: I think Laperriere will be a San Jose Shark, signing a two year deal worth between 1.5-1.8M per season.
So suck it up and watch the last hockey game of the year. Go Penguins, for selfish reasons – and the trades and future speculation are right around the corner.
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Interesting thoughts on Heatley. Do you guys think any trade for Heatley has to include Marleau? If I’m DW and see the Red Wings winning with Marian Hossa on the second line, I wonder if sending Michalek, Nabby, and a #2 pick for Heatley and Alex Auld would be enough. Then that would open up a spot for Gustavssen to earn the starters role. Or maybe that’s just California dreamin’…
I already voiced my thoughts on Heatley. As for Gustavvson, I truly hope we sign him. I assume he follows NHL and knows that Nabby did not have a perfect season. In fact, I bet they could split time, and if Nabby continues to have 5-hole syndrom, the Swedish man can get the starting job. What’s going for him is that he isn’t young, so I’m seeing second Hiller in the making if we’re lucky.
This can solve a lot of our problems, including anti-Nabby trolls that continue to multiply on the interwebs as this off season is starting to take its toll.
Ruben,
I think any practical trade for Heatley has to include Marleau, or it would be painfully reminiscent of the Thornton trade. Painful for them, I mean.
I agree about Gustavsson ending up in Toronto – especially since goalie consultant extraordinare Francois Allaire is now there.
I don’t think a trade requires Marleau to go the other way, but that’d be a TON of money tied up next year. Defensive signings would suffer – and that seemed to be area number 1 on the Dudes list of needs. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sens took the opportunity to get restock prospects. I don’t think Heatley comes to the Sharks, but does end up in the Pacific division.
Lappy. Meh… Fill that need next trade deadline.
I think a move for Heatley would have to include moving Nabby and/or Marleau in order to clear the cap space necessary to get a no. 2 D-man. That would then mean going to get Gustavsson. I know it’s a lot of roster movement, but DW is creative. Maybe Marleau, Nabby, and a 2nd-round pick for Heatley and the no. 9 overall or am I stretching here? Toronto is desperate to get as many 1st round picks as possible, so maybe DW flips the no. 9 for Kaberle.
I definitely think there are some significant changes come Draft Day and I wouldn’t be surprised if DW and Lawton in Tampa hook up again.
I can’t see Marleau being traded away for Heatley. After Patrick finally not underachiving under the new coach, he will not be moved
As for Nabby being moved away this is just not gunna be seen. He is just to good and some fans are just looking for a place to put their blame.
The place that the blame should be put is Thornton. He should be moved for two good players such as Green and Backstrom. Green would give them the scoring they need from their D and Backstrom would give a good centre men for Marleau and Cheechoo.
I thought Thornton was the Shark’s best player in the playoffs, along with Torrey Mitchell.
I hope the Sharks don’t trade Marleau. He really does do it all for the team, and the only better all around players than him are true superstars like Datsyuk. Honestly, I’d rather have Marleau than Heatley, straight up.
As far as Nabby, I still believe he is a top 15 goaltender. The problem is he is getting paid to play like a top 5 one, and he isn’t. With Gustavvsen on the market (and apparently subject to an entry level contract), I would imagine the Sharks think they have an opportunity to cut a few million off their cap number while getting equivalent performance.
Somebody on the Bleacher Report is claiming the Sharks have resigned Blake for 2 years at 4.5 per year. I don’t really buy it for a variety of reasons (mostly the length of the contract)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/199039-blake-re-signs-with-sharks
While I want Blake back, I’m very nervous of a 2 year deal and don’t think Wilson would have made that commitment considering his age.
Dudes!! It’s been a while since your last podcast, is there one coming soon?
There is a new podcast with TSN’s Scott Cullen at the link below. I’ll have a new post later today so we can continue to speculate on rumors as the draft gets closer.
http://dudesonhockey.com/2009/06/17/episode-52-scott-cullen-lends-credibility/