So, mercifully, Frankenstein is out, and Oz is back in. Next time, let’s close the barn door before the horses all run out.

A lot has been said about the Ducks game, so I won’t really talk about that much more. But I do want to talk about several game-time and in-game decisions by the coaching staff, all of which I have a problem with:

1. Starting Thomas Greiss. I get that RW and Co. want the kid to get some NHL competition before the playoffs, but in his NHL debut?? Outside of Bertuzzi’s wraparound it was a good effort, but to me, this is the craziest personnel decision the Sharks have made this year. Unless the stuff about Nabby being banged up after the Leafs game was BS. What’s the harm in letting the kid play against the Coyotes first, then work up to some tougher games this month or next? We have Colorado and Calgary at home next month, a long Atlantic road trip, and plenty of tough teams in March.
2. Starting Semenov. We’ve beaten this to death. It was a decent gamble to bring this guy in, a good experiment, but the results are in. He shouldn’t be on an NHL roster.
3. Playing Semenov in key situations. Also flogged to perfection. Why he was out at the end of the game, and why he got PP time, is one of life’s great mysteries. As Jeremy said, Zettler should be held accountable for this decision if it was in fact his call. I laughed out loud when I read that Semenov was out at the end because “he is an NHL player.” That might be RW taking some heat for his assistant’s mistake. The idea that because Semenov, a frequent healthy scratch, is on an NHL roster somehow explains playing him in the most crucial moment of the game is ludicrous. If Brown, The Rizz™, and Marcel Goc play an entire 5-on-3 power play and the justification for having them on the ice is because they are “NHL players,” the coaching staff should immediately be placed in the NHL substance-abuse program. Oz can give you directions to the meetings.

It was like the Twilight Zone. Greiss in net instead of Nabby? No Bernier? McLaren on the IR? What else could happen.

IT’S ALIVE! IT’S ALIVE. FRANKENSTEIN IS ON THE ICE. SEMENOV. BRAINS! BRAAAAAIIIIIINNNNSSSS!!! PUTTING ON THE RITZ!!! I #$%*ing hate this guy and he proved why he is the worst player on the Sharks. Don’t believe me? Check this out.

Todd Bertuzzi scored in the 1st period to make the game a 1-1 tie. Guess who was on the ice? Semenov.

Corey Perry brought the score to 3-2 Sharks near the end of the 2nd period. On the ice again. Frankenov.

Then, the killer. Standing like a man-made block of lifeless tissue in front of the net with an Abbey-Normal brain in his head – Chernobyl’s finest living monster, Semenov, had Doug Weight’s shot bounce off his tree-trunk and past Greiss with 28 seconds left, deflating the Sharks and dashing any dreams the team had of pulling off their finest road win of the season.

WHY? Why is he on the ice for 17 minutes? Is Ozolinsh dying? Did he hit on Ron Wilson’s wife? Did he run off to Mexico with Britney? This turd Semenov is a -8 in 14 games and, for some reason, Ron Wilson continues to run The Monster out there to torture Sharks’ fans. There is a reason why this guy hasn’t played more than 46 games in five NHL seasons, why Florida – a team that doens’t exactly scream “Defensive Depth” – gave up on him. Terrible. Disgusting. In a matter of seconds this went from one of the best wins of the year to, quite possibly, the most disappointing. The worst part is, Semenov will probably be back out on the ice on Tuesday night vs. Phoenix. Mrs. Gretzky has the odds at 2 to 1.

I’m going to start drinking now…..

Last night at the Tank went from a disasterous loss to one of the worst teams in the NHL to a thrilling, come from behind home victory in a matter of 45 minutes. It was a typical home loss M.O. for the Sharks, they were out shooting Toronto 23-17 at the second intermission, we were outhitting them, we were blocking more shots – and the Sharks were losing two-zip. I was getting the text messages. “Sharks are done” “No way Sharks come back tonight” “Terrible loss”. I had little hope, but I reminded my friend to keep in mind how terrible the Leafs are and to not give up hope just yet.

And then…something did change. Craig Rivet, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau all made sure that the Sharks were not heading to Anaheim tonight for another huge showdown with the smell of losing to Toronto wafting behind them (which I think smells like rotting Canadian Bacon laced with Molson and John Candy’s corpse). Did this just happen? I almost hesitate to talk about the recent San Jose upswing at home, with a season high three straight victories, but their improved play at home must be noted. San Jose should be riding an emotional high into Anaheim tonight, who are also on a home winning streak of their own.

I always get excited when an original six team comes to town, especially one that we haven’t seen here in the Bay Area for a few years. This Leafs team is as bad as advertised. Free flowing offensive attack, not much defense and piss-poor special teams. You look at their roster on paper, as I did at the beginning of the season, and think this is a playoff team for sure – but it doesn’t translate on the ice. It made me appreciate what we have here in San Jose even more. So, Sharks fans, when you feel like bitching about Marleau or whining about Ron Wilson’s system, take a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs. Stocked with talent (Sundin, Toskala, Kaberle, Kubina, Tucker, Blake, etc) and their cup runneth over with miserable hockey. Fire Maurice. Fire JFJ. Convince some on your vets to waive their no trades and restock. If the price is right, Mike and I have already said Sundin would be a great fit in Teal, but I just don’t think Doug Wilson is going to make a “big splash” unless it is the perfect deal. I’m looking for him to add two veteran third line players, “Craig Rivet” types at the forward position. Mike and I will identify some of our trade targets for Dougie in the coming week.

I remember fondly (or not-so-fondly) just a couple of weeks ago, when the Sharks had a horrible week against the Ducks and Coyotes. The mood around here was pretty pessimistic. Since then the Sharks have ripped off a 6-0-1 streak, including what I would consider the most dominating performance of the year tonight, beating Vancouver 3-1. There’s a lot of season left, but the Sharks’ play in the last couple of weeks have been just outstanding.

The Sharks seemed to be toying with the Canucks on a few occasions, with players simply passing up shots in order to continue the tick-tack-toe passing. If there was anything to be concerned about, and there really wasn’t, it still the slightly anemic scoring. Into the second, the Sharks were just killing it, yet only up 1-0 until JR scored on a nice and quick shoveled backhand rebound past Luongo. The Canucks had one very scary shift, with the Sharks out way too long, needing a change, and having the long skate to the bench in the second period. But Grier finally blocked a pass, and the threat was over.

I’ll be honest- I thought the Sharks would lose, and I bet fake money on ChompBoard to that effect. I figured their home woes would continue, and they have not been good this season after a long rest (their last game was last Saturday). But they proved me wrong. Oh boy did they. And I couldn’t be happier about it. I might just waste my ChompBux from now on betting against the Sharks, if they are going to play like they did tonight.

Sorry to say that grier’s rumor is finally over- AO signed a 350 year, $4.5B contract, or something close to that. He can get back to watching the sex tape of that girl’s giant ass (you wish there was a link here, don’t you? Don’t be lazy, just Google it).

Now the main NHL rumors surround the team coming into San Jose on Saturday, the Leafs. Driving home, I was listing to the post-game on the radio, and Dan and Jaime brought up a good point. Obviously having Sundin in teal would be just awesome. But what would the Leafs want? And to add another wrinkle, wouldn’t Anaheim be in that sweepstakes too, and shouldn’t the Sharks thus offer more to keep the Ducks from getting him? Wouldn’t Dallas want him as well? I think the Sharks should make a run at Sundin just as a defensive play. Toronto will want prospects and picks. I think the Sharks have more of a stable of those than either of the other two contenders in our division. The downside of course being that we get a big, strong, point-per-game leader who is a menace in the faceoff circle. We could do a hell of a lot worse.

I love some good gossip. With Britney going El Pollo Loco, Reggie Bush dating that girl with the huge ass – I figured it was time for us to weigh in with a little hot hockey gossip to join the club.

Alexander Ovechkin will be wearing a different uniform by the deadline.

But could this be true, that Washington would actually trade Ovechkin, a franchise winger and one of the league’s most dominant scorers? The answer, very simply, could be yes. A.O. is a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season and if he hits the open market, you can bet teams with cap room will line up and make wild offers. The question is, does Ovechkin want to stay in Washington? If I were him, the answer would be HELL NO. What does the franchise have going for it? Not much. His supporting cast is weak, their blue line is poor and the goalie situation is in flux if Kolzig leaves after this year. So if Ovechkin isn’t willing to extend, then Washington might try and get as much as possible before they lose him for draft picks as a RFA.

Eklund links the Caps and Predators. Are you kidding me? Ovechkin wants to play in that hockey mecca of Nashville? Get the #$%& out of here. He either wants to win or play in a major market or go for a money grab. So, what will it be? He will control his own destiny to a point. The supposed Nashville offer is as follows.

To Washington: Zidlicky, Suter, Dumont and two 1st round picks. A veteran D, a young D, an expiring contract and draft picks.

If Washington is putting him on the block, then wouldn’t the Sharks have the pieces to make a similar offer? We might have to part with a few players that we love and value. A young power forward? A shut down defensemen? A future goaltender? A former All Star? So, let’s play GM, shall we. Would you make this deal? Would Washington? Would Ovechkin even want to come to the Bay Area?

To Washington: Steve Bernier, Marc-Eduard Vlasic, Tomas Greiss and Patrick Marleau and 2008 1st round pick.
To San Jose: Alexander Ovechkin (with contract extension)

I think it doesn’t happen. He won’t land here but he will land somewhere. Montreal has some attractive young pieces to make a similar offer. They could build a deal around Carey Price, Higgins, Komisarek and Ryder. New Jersey could offer a deal with any combo of reasonably priced impact players in Paul Martin, Gionta and Parise. But I’m calling it here. My prediction for who will land the mighty A.O in 2008.

The Los Angeles Kings.

Yup. Crazy Dean Lombardi is probably in a room right now trying to figure out how to make this happen. He has the pieces to offer and he is nuts enough to give way more than he should to secure a huge star to build around. A.O. cashes in with a big extension, gets to play in Hollywood and be the face of a franchise that needs a huge kick in the ass.

To Washington: Mike Cammalieri, Patrick O’Sullivan, Jack Johnson and a first round pick.
To LA: Alexander Ovechkin

What do you think? Does he stay or does he go? Where will he end up?

Last night didn’t end pretty, but I’m sure we’ll all take it. We need all the points we can muster before Selanne comes back to the Ducks. It’s not a matter of if with Selanne – it’s a matter of when. Last night, Bernier continued to prove my preseason criticism wrong – he is showing why so many talent scouts believe he can be a 30 goal/100 PIM player. His goal last night was Sportscenter material. I told Mike during the game that I wouldn’t include Steve Bernier in any deal right now. He should be the next RFA Doug Wilson resigns this season. Three years/10 million might get it done, don’t you think?

While “In Doug Wilson I Trust”, I do have to question one move he has made this season – or lack of move I should say. Not acquiring a proven NHL back up as an insurance policy for Nabby. Can you imagine a scenerio where Nabby injures his shoulder and groin and misses thirteen games (05-06) or misses four games with a groin pull (06-07)? What would Ron Wilson do? With other division leading clubs, the coach can look down the bench and see Kevin Weekes in New Jersey or Curtis Sanford in Vancouver. These guys don’t play much.They shouldn’t. But they can be more than Nabby’s towel boy and caddy and carry the load for a few games if the #1 guy needs to rest an aching back or groin. So why didn’t Doug Wilson claim David Aebischer when Phoenix waived him, or trade a low level draft pick for Alex Auld before he was claimed by Boston, or put in a claim on recently demoted veteran backstop John Grahame in Carolina? Why hasn’t he made a play for Sharks-killer Curtis Joseph, sitting on the UFA pile?

I’ve been back and forth and I can only come to the conclusion that Patzold isn’t here to play. He must give a good massage or pick up Nabby’s dry cleaning because he certainly isn’t here to play hockey. Ron and Doug Wilson have zero confidence in him, no matter what they might say. So – if Nabby goes down – the plan must be to have Greiss leap frog from the AHL and start immediately. Greiss looked great in the preseason and could be the future in the pipes when Nabby’s contract is up in 2010. But how can Team Wilson think he can succeed by being thrust into an NHL playoff race without a single minute of game experience. I have no problem going with youth. Don’t get me wrong. But you have to let the rookie play. Anaheim is going this route with Jonas Hillar, but the difference is he has started seven games so far so he won’t #$&% his pants if he has to play for an extended period of time.

I say trade a spare part or pick and get a veteran back up. Which option would you pick Sharks fans?

1. Light a candle and let Nabby start all 82 games, which has never been done before. The record is 79 by Grant Fuhr.
2. Call up Greiss after the All Star break and let him spot start Nabby every seven/eight games so he could perform in the playoffs, if needed.
3. Acquire a proven veteran back up for this season. If so, who would you want and what are you willing to give up?

On a side note – I do get sucked into Eklund’s rumors from time to time – and his linking hard hitting defensemen Mike Commodore to the Sharks made me smile. Not only because I had him on my wish list in the off season, but because he would be an excellent addition of leadership and toughness for a 2nd round grudge match with Anaheim or Detroit. If he truly is available, I would offer Ehrhoff in return. I would think Carolina would have to think that over.

UPDATE: PATZOLD WAS PUT ON WAIVERS YESTERDAY AND GREISS HAS BEEN RECALLED TO BE THE BACK-UP STARTING THURSDAY VS. VANCOUVER. DOUG WILSON SAID ALL THE RIGHT THINGS ABOUT PATZOLD, THAT THEY HOPE HE CLEARS AND THEY WANT HIM TO BE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION. IF THEY REALLY VALUED HIM, THEY WOULDN’T PUT PATZOLD OUT THERE FOR FREE. GREISS IS HERE TO STAY AND I’M EXPECTING TO SEE HIM START A GAME IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, POSSIBILY EVEN AGAINST TORONTO ON SATURDAY OR JAN 15TH AT PHOENIX.

I’m feeling a bit salty, so I’m going to blast a player that I’ve been decidedly quiet about up until now. He’s not the only one I feel salty about, but he’s the only one I’m blasting today.

The first is the most obvious- Patrick Marleau. He’s a quiet guy, and I can’t fault him for that. Maybe a quiet captain isn’t what the Sharks need right now, and he’s not that guy. That’s not my problem with him either. My problem is, as a leader, quiet or not, he needs to take it upon himself to find the areas where the Sharks are lacking, and fill those voids. As everyone has said ad nauseam, the Sharks lack heart, and grit around the net. Those are things that Patty can provide on the ice. In the game last night, there was a particular possession late in the game, score tied, when Patty skates into the zone with speed. Does he drive the next and gut out a scoring chance? No, he delays, circles back, and the puck is eventually turned over. Is Patty going out of his way to throw around his 6-2, 210 lb body? If anything, he seems to be consciously avoiding contact.

I can’t blame a guy for being who he is. I do blame him for playing the way he is. Great hockey players find a way to give their team what they need. Marleau isn’t doing that. Perhaps it’s fallout from his well-publicized and still-ongoing feud with Ron Wilson, or he’s quietly nursing an injury. Here’s the brass tacks- Mr. Marleau has to swallow a bit of pride and start doing the things a player of his skill doesn’t have to do most of the time. Forecheck hard. Hit. Take punishment in front of the net. Drive to hard places with dogged stubbornness. You think Sidney Crosby needed to fight? Of course not, but for his sake and the sake of the team, he was saying, “I’m not gonna stand for this s&*%.”

Marleau can take this team to another level, all by himself. That turning over of a new leaf could be extremely contagious, and drive this team to start winning games that will make the entire league take notice. Let’s face it, the league will not take notice until we can beat the elite, and we just flat out haven’t done it. But the next chance to show ’em is coming up quickly- January 13 at Anaheim.

Part of me feels like an ass#$&%. The Sharks are currently tied for the 2nd seed in the Western Conference and are #3 on ESPN’s power rankings, but I’m just not satisfied. And I know many other Shark fans feel the same way. Last night was a fun game to watch – the Sharks dictated play for most of the game, especially during a long stretch in the 3rd period. The men in Teal were swarming but just couldn’t get enough wood on the puck to put it past Kipper. As Ron Wilson said in a postgame interview ““You can’t complain about the effort” and I agree, but us Sharks fans are desperate to see them win at home, especially the season ticket holders. This was a game they should have taken. Calgary was tired and raised their skirts in the 3rd period in submission, but we couldn’t seal the deal.

Things that were good: Shooting from the point – another goal by Rivet. Torrey Mitchell continues to show why he is going to be a Mike Ricci fan favorite type for several years here in San Jose. Joe/Bernier/Michalek was effective and got several chances. Kyle McLaren slapping his stick on the ice demanding the puck at the point and, for the first time this season, the McLaren HIP CHECK on the boards. Nabby was good – again. He is the clear team MVP.

Things that were bad: Cheechoo, Ehrhoff and Marleau. Enough said. Cheech continues to make blunders and for a sniper to have zero shots in inexcusable. Marleau has some effective breakouts, but then he pulls up at the blueline instead of attacking the net, thus giving the Flames D plenty of time get back and set up. Why? Get a little “Michalek” in you and go for it Patty. That’s what you would have done last year….Ehrhoff played well in regulation, but all it takes is one mistake – and him being out of position and losing Iginla cost them the game. That’s cool Christian. I understand how you forgot about Iginla. After all, he only has 31 goals for 2nd in the NHL.

So, Sharks fans….it could be way worse. We could be Thrasher fans. We could be Capitals season ticket holders. We could have team replica jerseys with the name FROLOV on the back. The effort was there, the result wasn’t – but a point is a point and it put us back on top of the Pacific. The boys do need to translate the improved effort to W’s or this long home stretch will see them fall to the bottom of the conference. There are only six points seperating us from the Blue Jackets, who are currently the #9 seed and out of the playoffs.

P.S. Did you see Primeau throw that hissy fit on the bench? Swinging his stick and snapping the blade off, having it fly into the stands. Unsportsmanlike anyone? I guess when you only get seven minutes of ice time….I wouldn’t want any of the ex-Sharks forwards on Calgary’s roster. Nolan is a dud with 12 points. Primeau – pass. Mark Smith – pass. It’s like Sharks-Lite, minus the talent.

Never a dull moment as a Sharks fan in 2007. I left them feeling blue and down about their prospects, a team in a downward spiral after losing three disheartening games at home. Then they continued their blistering road warrior ways and took four games against team they should beat. St. Louis, Nashville and Los Angeles are all free-falling out of the playoff race, but the Preds and Blues still have winning records at home so these were tough games. Winning in Minnesota confirms for me that the Wild are a great matchup for San Jose if it happens in the playoffs – we are in their heads and the Sharkies might be the last team the Wild want to see in the first round.

The encouraging part about these four wins were how San Jose went about their game. Passing was crisp. Defense was smart. Secondary scoring finally arrived with Michalek getting seven points and Bernier notching five points, earing him a spot on the top line with Thunder Joe. Matt Carle looked comfortable finally, pulling a +2 on the trip. There was a great mix of goals – the ugly and the beautiful. Seeing Rivet and Carle unload from the point was a welcome sight. The boys looked loose. They looked like winners.

So…what are we supposed to expect tonight when they return to the Tank, a place they have struggled to play with emotion and energy in 2007? I am trying to be positive in the New Year, but tonight is no easy task. Calgary may be the hottest team in the NHL not named “Red Wings”, winning six of their last seven on the road and posting a 7-2-1 record in their last ten. A much bigger challenge than any club the Sharks faced on the recent road swing, especially with some of the San Jose roster plagued by the flu. The fans will be ready to forget 2007’s home struggles. Let’s start fresh in 2008 with a big win tonight vs. Keenan’s boys.

I don’t mind- I’ll lean into the strike zone and take one for the team if the Sharks will win like this. While Grier and I were carousing in NYC, the Sharks quietly kicked ass again on the road. I TiVo’d the games, but have only watched the Nashville on as of now. With all the hullabaloo of Christmas, New Year’s, travel, and my new Mac Book Pro (hah!) I haven’t had the chance to post until now.

After the dismal showing of the week before Christmas, the Sharks nut up and win some games. Of course the Blues, Preds, and Kings don’t exactly compare to the Ducks. I gotta say, the Sharks’ timing is piss poor. It could just be the Sharks are just taking advantage of inferior opposition, but after watching (Nashville, at least), I don’t think so. They play more confidently, and the non-Jumbo lines actually seem to accomplish something as opposed to chewing up ice time.

Tonight there’s the Wild, one of the better teams in the West in front of one of the most rabid fan bases in all of hockey. I might be hardcore, but I’m not so hardcore that I would forego a New Year’s Eve party to watch a Sharks game, especially when there’s TiVo.