Comments on: Time To Break Old Habits http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=time-to-break-old-habits Two dudes blogging and podcasting about the San Jose Sharks, straight from sunny California. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:45:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ruben http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/#comment-5172 Ruben Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:44:14 +0000 http://dudesonhockey.com/?p=1149#comment-5172 Unfortunately, Seto has that one skill that can't be taught...scoring goals. Bernier, Carle, Sturm, they all never had that skill. Might be too soon to trade him away. Anyone else notice that Clowe is only on pace for 17-18 goals? With only a small uptick in assists? DW, for all his drafting and trading ability, had a terrible summer at the negotiations table (with the small exception of Greiss). Huskins, Clowe, and probably even Mitchell were overpaid for the same reasons Michalek, Bernier, Carle, and Vlasic were: a belief that they would blossom. Hasn't happened. But the good news: Sharks are a top team, their rookies are contributing, Heatley has been awesome. I absolutely think Couture will be up for good in March along with McGinn, with Staubitz and Shelly sitting in the box for the last month or so. DW is great at assessing team weaknesses, and secondary scoring is it. A 4th line of McGinn-Couture-Mitchell is a lot more offensively intimidating that Shelly-Nichol-Staubitz. Unfortunately, Seto has that one skill that can’t be taught…scoring goals. Bernier, Carle, Sturm, they all never had that skill. Might be too soon to trade him away.

Anyone else notice that Clowe is only on pace for 17-18 goals? With only a small uptick in assists? DW, for all his drafting and trading ability, had a terrible summer at the negotiations table (with the small exception of Greiss). Huskins, Clowe, and probably even Mitchell were overpaid for the same reasons Michalek, Bernier, Carle, and Vlasic were: a belief that they would blossom. Hasn’t happened.

But the good news: Sharks are a top team, their rookies are contributing, Heatley has been awesome. I absolutely think Couture will be up for good in March along with McGinn, with Staubitz and Shelly sitting in the box for the last month or so. DW is great at assessing team weaknesses, and secondary scoring is it. A 4th line of McGinn-Couture-Mitchell is a lot more offensively intimidating that Shelly-Nichol-Staubitz.

]]> By: Ivan M http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/#comment-5171 Ivan M Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:19:00 +0000 http://dudesonhockey.com/?p=1149#comment-5171 Yes, I certainly agree with that. I am rather disappointed in Seto this season, but luckily a decrease in his production is nicely compensated by an increase in Marleau's, so I'm not too upset. Eventually the second line will start producing points again, but I think it's more of a function of inconsistency in Seto's and Clowe's offense as it is in Pavs. Or maybe all three? I think the kid is struggling with his confidence a bit, and it appears he's not the kind of a guy who can generate offense on his own. I'm afraid that what we have on our hands here is another version of Cheechoo. With our depth at forward, Seto might very well be an odd man out and DW doesn't shy away trading away young players who he see as "finished" (Bernier, Carle, etc). I say, trade the rights to Seto, now or this summer, and invest in another contract for Marleau, who clearly deserves it. Yes, I certainly agree with that. I am rather disappointed in Seto this season, but luckily a decrease in his production is nicely compensated by an increase in Marleau’s, so I’m not too upset. Eventually the second line will start producing points again, but I think it’s more of a function of inconsistency in Seto’s and Clowe’s offense as it is in Pavs. Or maybe all three?

I think the kid is struggling with his confidence a bit, and it appears he’s not the kind of a guy who can generate offense on his own. I’m afraid that what we have on our hands here is another version of Cheechoo.

With our depth at forward, Seto might very well be an odd man out and DW doesn’t shy away trading away young players who he see as “finished” (Bernier, Carle, etc).

I say, trade the rights to Seto, now or this summer, and invest in another contract for Marleau, who clearly deserves it.

]]> By: Doug http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/#comment-5170 Doug Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:47:56 +0000 http://dudesonhockey.com/?p=1149#comment-5170 Ivan: I think you misunderstood me. I think Couture is virtually untouchable and that his development in Worcester could make him as valuable in March as trading for some UFA like Ray Whitney. No need to make a move like that when you have a top line forward progressing in the system - but he needs to play with top talent, not with Staubitz and Shelley. I also think Couture's presence and development is on the mind of Doug Wilson when considering if he should, or even can, resign Seto, Malhotra AND Pavelski. I don't think he can afford them all, so why not cut ties with one (Seto) and get a solid asset at the deadline. He's their best trade bait and the current odd man out of that trio - if you ask me. Ivan: I think you misunderstood me. I think Couture is virtually untouchable and that his development in Worcester could make him as valuable in March as trading for some UFA like Ray Whitney. No need to make a move like that when you have a top line forward progressing in the system – but he needs to play with top talent, not with Staubitz and Shelley.

I also think Couture’s presence and development is on the mind of Doug Wilson when considering if he should, or even can, resign Seto, Malhotra AND Pavelski. I don’t think he can afford them all, so why not cut ties with one (Seto) and get a solid asset at the deadline. He’s their best trade bait and the current odd man out of that trio – if you ask me.

]]> By: Ivan M http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/#comment-5169 Ivan M Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:49:10 +0000 http://dudesonhockey.com/?p=1149#comment-5169 Perhaps I misread your post, but I don't see Couture getting traded. If anything, he'll get some playoff time because cap no longer matters and because he's having a great season. For all we know, he's our 3rd center next season, if Mitchell continues the slump and we can't afford resigning Marleau. I think DW will at least give him a chance at NHL level before he trades him. Perhaps I misread your post, but I don’t see Couture getting traded. If anything, he’ll get some playoff time because cap no longer matters and because he’s having a great season.

For all we know, he’s our 3rd center next season, if Mitchell continues the slump and we can’t afford resigning Marleau. I think DW will at least give him a chance at NHL level before he trades him.

]]> By: Ruben http://dudesonhockey.com/2010/01/12/time-to-break-old-habits/#comment-5168 Ruben Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:58:25 +0000 http://dudesonhockey.com/?p=1149#comment-5168 Question is, who gets traded of the forwards? Seto, who has been in the doghouse for weeks? Clowe, who has seem to avoid reprimand despite playing maybe 1/2 the games up to his contract? McGinn, who hasn't even been given a fair stab at a top 6 job yet has performed better each callup? I think you can tell which guy I would trade. On a separate note, I was playing around on capgeek, and if the Sharks decide they are comfortable handing the reins to Stalock/Greiss and letting Captain Blake walk (possibly into retirement), there is no reason the Sharks can't bring back Marleau, Seto, Pavs (and maybe even Malhotra) while promoting Couture and Petrecki despite their rather large entry level deals. What do you guys think? Would the Sharks be so bold considering the year Nabby is having? Is that worth having a 3rd line of McGinn-Couture-Setoguchi look with a "2nd line" of Clowe-Pavs-Malhotra? Which line would score more goals? Question is, who gets traded of the forwards? Seto, who has been in the doghouse for weeks? Clowe, who has seem to avoid reprimand despite playing maybe 1/2 the games up to his contract? McGinn, who hasn’t even been given a fair stab at a top 6 job yet has performed better each callup? I think you can tell which guy I would trade.

On a separate note, I was playing around on capgeek, and if the Sharks decide they are comfortable handing the reins to Stalock/Greiss and letting Captain Blake walk (possibly into retirement), there is no reason the Sharks can’t bring back Marleau, Seto, Pavs (and maybe even Malhotra) while promoting Couture and Petrecki despite their rather large entry level deals. What do you guys think? Would the Sharks be so bold considering the year Nabby is having? Is that worth having a 3rd line of McGinn-Couture-Setoguchi look with a “2nd line” of Clowe-Pavs-Malhotra? Which line would score more goals?

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