Yesterday was the first day of free agency. Rumors were abound about the Sharks- they were in the hunt for Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, or Ryan Smyth. I personally think they need to worry about their blueline more. So what happened? Jack squat. They watched Drury sign with the Rangers, Briere sign with the Flyers, Smyth sign with the Avs, and Gomez sign with the Rangers too. Then instead of playing ‘unrestricted defense’ against the Ducks, we watch them sign Mattieu Schnieder, and then watch the Wings sign Rafalski. To further help our d-line, we watch Scott Hannan leave for greener pastures in Colorado. As of today, Rob Davison is in our top-6.

This may not get mentioned much with all the big-name free agent signings- but Philly pulled off a complete tea-bag of Edmonton, getting possibly the best defensive defenseman in the league in Jason Smith, and Joffrey Lupul, for Joni Pitkanen and (throwaway) Geoff Sanderson. Pitkanen is nothing to sneeze at- I’d love it if the Sharks got him instead, but I don’t think he’s a proven asset yet. He manages to disappear for stretches at a time. It does show me than TSN has the best hockey coverage- as of right now, that deal is the leading story. It’s among the 15 right-column free-agent signing stories on ESPN.com

The only item on the plus side of the column is that we re-signed Joe for another 3 years, at a pretty considerable home-town discount. Considering Gomez signed for more money than Joe, it’s hard to dispute that the Sharks got a great deal.

Four critical free agents are still available where the Sharks are concerned- Slava Kozlov, Sheldon Souray, Brad Stuart, and Tom Preissing. If the Sharks come up empty handed with this group, It’s clear that the Sharks lost ground in the West.

For the second year in the row, I will be watching the draft live. Or close to live, anyway (thank you, TiVo). There’s already been a big trade today- Toskala and Bell to the Leafs for a 1st, 2nd, and 4th round pick. Adrian Aucoin, probably the most coveted UFA defensemen a couple of years ago, waived his no-trade clause to go to the Flames, essentially straight-up for Andrei Zyuzin.

Grier and I won’t be live-blogging, because frankly, nobody cares about the draft. We’ll be posting more on the various moves this weekend probably.

ESPN is reporting that the Sharks, Sabres, and Kings are in the running for Chris Drury. The Philly Inquirer has a similar story (via Yahoo). According to that, “every indication is he will end up with the San Jose Sharks”. First of all, this kind of speculation rarely turns out to be correct, and if it isn’t, no one gets castigated for it. If Drury signs with the Sabres before July 1, no one will remember the PI had it wrong. It sells newspapers.

But the ESPN story and my (albeit amateur) internal salary gauge says Drury will get at least $6M per year. That sounds like too much, for a guy that had less than 70 pts in the regular season. For that kind of money you can get Briere, who had more points and plays the same position. I think the market will overpay for ‘locker room leadership’ and ‘clutch performance’. And in case you haven’t read previous posts, I’m unconvinced that those things brings a decided advantage.

Pop quiz- which of these players had fewer points than Chris Drury last year:
A. Kristian Huselius
B. Jonathan Cheechoo
C. Slava Kozlov
D. Andrew Brunette

Give up? It’s E- none of the above. Guess the highest salary amongst this group. It’s Cheech, averaging $3M for the next four years. All the others are around $2M per (Kozlov is a UFA too, by the way). I’m going to have a hard time being convinced that Drury deserves a 100% premium because he’s a locker room leader and good in the clutch. Not that points should be the only determinant of salary, but let’s get real. I think Drury owes Buccigross a commission on his next contract, for all the love he’s gotten in print.

Man, this is a tough series to handicap. I really blew the pooch on my predictions for the Eastern Conference Final last round, but I did get the Ducks right. Ottawa just continues to surprise- they are ready and willing to do everything to win. They hit, play defense, have good goaltending, and score, especially that first line, which has been the best line in the playoffs.

Not really that unlike the Ducks, although it’s been the Ducks’ “second” line of Perry, Penner, and Getzlaf that has been dominating for the Ducks, though in a different way. Chris Kunitz is out, so that leaves a hole on the first line, a hole being filled by Ric Jackman Brad May. Jiggy is playing Smythe-worth goal, and that’s the first rule of the playoffs- the team with the hot goalie wins.

For me, the question comes down to whether the Spezza-Heatley-Alfredsson line can score against the shutdown line of Pahlsson-Moen-Niedermayer. We will see if Bryan Murray can get any of the matchups he wants on the road.

As for the pick- it was so impressive the way Ottawa dispatched Buffalo, I have to go with them. The Ducks’ “kids” line can’t keep it up forever, and Kunitz missing will put more of a spotlight on Selanne, who will be effectively shut down this series. Ottawa in 6.

Here’s the link. Make sure to read Grier’s post first. Here’s a good quote from Doug: “Sometimes you have to go out and get better players, and sometimes you have to make your players better.” Given the emphasis he places on Detroit and Ottawa’s ability to break through after a couple of tough years, it seems clear his effort will be on making the most of the current group. There will not be a fire sale.

One thing that struck me is that Wilson said if you grade each of the individuals on the team, the median grade was a C+. I never really thought of it like that before, but he’s right. Some players, and he mentioned Grier and Vlasic, played ‘A’ hockey. Clearly above expectations. Wilson said Joe played B hockey, but I would probably be more charitable than that. I would find it hard to grade a 110+ point year as a B. But there are several players that did not have good years. Bell is the obvious choice there. Bernier is another.

Given how well Nabby played and his salary (and NTC), I have to think that the goaltender deal that Wilson all but guaranteed will be Toskala. The question is, what sort of thing will Wilson be looking for in return? Wilson cannot mention certain players by name before the unrestricted free agency period begins on July 1, but I was suprised that he didn’t even hint about looking for a certain type of player. A puck-moving defenseman. A locker room leader. The sorts of players Grier and I have been talking about the last few posts.

Wilson also didn’t commit on Ron Wilson returning, but the way he spoke of it, I would bet 4-1 that Ron will be back. One of the radio guys mentioned that Ron Wilson does not really seem to blame himself in press conferences, but Doug said that all the players and coaches have taken responsibility for this year’s results. Given those comments, the dearth of good coaches available now, and the length of Ron Wilson’s contract, I will be very surprised if he does not return.

It was weird how they asked the GM about Marty McSorely, a broadcaster, and Doug seemed a little miffed by the question. But he clearly knows what’s going on, maybe not all of the details. From the few words that were said, it seems McSorely will not be back. I wonder what the hell happened, and if we’ll ever get the story.

Doug Wilson held a press conference yesterday and went on KNBR in the afternoon. He admits to the Sharks were outcoached, outplayed and out-GM’d. He didn’t tip his hand much – he said the process of evaluating themselves has not been completed. Will Ron Wilson return? No answer yet. What he did say was the Sharks can look at the model of the Ottawa Senators for an example of overcoming playoff hardship to achieve success. The Sens lost a high profile defensemen in Chara, traded a flashy center in Hossa, let Hasek go and let their own young players step up and take the next step. Will the Sharks follow this model?

Will the Sharks trade Patrick Marleau? Doubtful. Wilson was quick to defend Patty and brought up an important stat – he is tied as the leading goal scorer the last three years in the playoffs. Is this really a player you want to get rid of? The biggest obstacle is that both Marleau and Joe Thornton are both in a contract year. You have to extend Joe – so do you deal Marleau for a high scoring gritty wing? Is there a Dany Heatley out there for the Sharks to acquire in exchange for Marleau? Would Columbus deal a disappointing Rick Nash to the Bay Area?

The Sharks are going to deal a goaltender. Wilson made this clear. Can they get a taker for Nabokov’s large 5.4 million dollar/year price tag? That would clear some room to sign a big ticket free agent like Smyth or Souray. Nabby’s no trade clause is a big obstacle, so most likely Toskala is the one on the move. Tampa Bay re-upped Holmqvist…..WHAT? Why would Tampa do this with so many goalies on the market like Giguere, Backstrom, Fernandez and both Sharks guys. Bizarre. Florida is in the market. Los Angeles and Phoenix need a goalie – but it is unlikely Wilson will help them out. We’ll see what happens.

So – we wait and see. The disaapointment is his voice was clear and the goal remains the same. The Sharks management is not content with entertaining its fans – they want to win a Stanley Cup and until that is done – they will not rest inside the Tank.

Believe it, kids. Great article about that here.

So I’m starting to compile lists and thoughts about the Sharks this offseason, but it’s still a bit too early to launch into a who-should-we-get discussion. Unrestricted free agency doesn’t officially start until July 1, so lots of movement and signings can still happen before we really know who’s available. I’ve already made a list of every UFA defensemen, and I’ll be posting about it soon. But first, I need to add my two cents about the two big Sharks issues right now.

1. Ron Wilson
I like Ron Wilson. He’s a very experienced coach, and widely regarded as a fantastic in-game tactician. The question is, is he still the right coach for the Sharks? Clearly, in many people’s minds, including that of Sharks management, the Sharks could have and should have gone further. The Red Wings played extremely well, and continue to do so, crushing the (not so mighty) Ducks last night 5-0. But as the old saw goes, have the players ‘tuned out’? Are they ‘not responding’?

Some especially are pointing to Wilson calling out Marleau in the Wings series, and how that was wrong, Mareau was offended, etc, etc. First thing- Marleau is a big boy, and supposedly the leader of the team. He deserved criticism. I don’t think Wilson stepped over the line in his criticism, he didn’t call him a pussy or a choker or anything like that. Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do at the time (hindsight is 20/20) but hell, Wilson had to do something. These relationships can be repaired. Lecavalier and Torts are talking again, and Vinny is a diva and Torts is a jerk.

So should Wilson go? Only if the Sharks can find the right coach to replace him. As as Grier said in the last post, there ain’t a lot out there. I’m personally not that excited about anyone, even Ed Olczyk. I don’t believe the Sharks are a team that needs to go out and have fun again. They need direction, but the latitude to create on the ice. I think Ron Wilson is a coach with that style. Ted Nolan is another. Hell, even John Tortorella would work- he’s managed to handle three or four big stars.

What you don’t do is pull the trigger to fire Wilson because you need a fall guy. And I have a lot of confidence in the GM, Doug Wilson, in this regard. There were many deals he could have made this past season for Toskala or Nabokov, and he waited for the right deal. He knows that this team is young, and built to have a lot of success in the next 3, 4 or more years. We’re not the Preds, we don’t have to win now.

2. Patrick Marleau
Basically, the criticism of Marleau came down to him playing subpar 10 games in a row. And yes, they were playoff games, so they mean more. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Marleau is not the only one on that list. But you don’t ditch the captain, the face of the franchise for years, because he had a bad stretch. Look at Edmonton and Smyth. Look at Dallas and Modano. Stripping a captain of the C or trading him has consequences, in the locker room and in the stands. I’m open to the suggestion that the Sharks need a vocal leader in the locker room. Not every captain is a vocal one. Maybe they need to go out and get Drury, or Smyth, or Gomez. Same thing as above- if the Sharks can make the right deal, then they should. No one is off the table. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t trade Joe for Sidney Crosby.

But like the Ron Wilson situation, you don’t panic. You don’t ditch somebody just to show the fans, management, whoever, that you did something. Doug Wilson is calculating. Would I trade Marleau for Dan Boyle? Hell yes. Would I trade him for a second round pick, or even a first round pick? Absolutely not. Until there’s a plan, everybody stays. Ditching good coaches and players without an idea of what you’re going to do next is not a plan, it’s a knee-jerk reaction.

As we mark the one week anniversary of the Sharks playoff demise, life has returned to normal by the Bay. Playoff beards have been shaved. Teal body paint has been painstakingly removed. The jersey has been retired until Fall. But several questions still remain inside the now empty Shark tank and the most popular appears to be – will Ron Wilson return behind the bench next season?

According to the New York Post and Sports Illustrated, Ron Wilson’s days may be numbered. While they cite no sources, it is implied that Wilson has lost the ear of his team and of team captain, Patrick Marleau. I agree with their assessment. The Sharks played uninspired hockey in this series. They folded under pressure and did not respond to adversity. They did not defend their home ice, losing two critical games at the Tank with the series on the line. It is hard not to notice teams that seem to play hard for their bench boss, like how the Islanders responded to Ted Nolan with half the talent the Sharks have. Mike Babcock made adjustments and the Wings listened to his passion. Lindy Ruff appears to be a great leader for the Sabres and now he will have to test it to come out of a 2-0 hole to Ottawa. As a former player, Doug Wilson knows the climate of the Sharks locker room. He is determined to build a winner and if there is a better coach for the job, I believe Wilson will pull the trigger on a new coach. The bigger question is – is there another man for the job? It is too bad the Isles snapped up Nolan because I think he would have brought the right inspiration to this team. Who else? Pat Burns? No thanks. Trent Yawney? Mike Kitchen? Claude Julien? Um…no. There is only one name that come to mind that intrigues me. Ed Olczyk.

The Edmonton Journal says they expect the Sharks to move Marleau for a puck moving defensemen and the Sharks might add a different look up front. They suggest sending Marleau to Chicago for Tuomo Ruutu and Brian Seabrook. First of all, Ruutu is a piece of trash cheap shot artist with bad blood history vs. San Jose – Doug Wilson would never make the deal. They suggest Marleau for Mattias Ohlund. I don’t think Wilson is going to react so quickly and deal the most popular player in franchise history. If Marleau fetched a premiere defensemen (Ohlund at 31 points in not in that category) the Journal says they would sign a mid level center to replace him, someone in the 3-4 million range. I don’t see any of those players on the UFA list. I see expensive 6-7 million dollar centers like Drury, Gomez and Briere and then a big drop off to Robert Lang and Jeff O’Neill. Sharks will stand pat here and ride it out with Marleau – we are strong up the middle with Big Joe, Patty, Pavelski, Brown and Goc. I still think Wilson is going to make a big push for a defensemen in a deep talent pool and he will take a long hard look at Ryan Smyth.

That’s all for now Sharksfans. Let us know any thoughts on coaches and other rumors.

So after the tough loss last night, I need to put on my objective hat and try to gauge the conference finals. Not to toot my own horn, but I’m kicking ass in terms of my series predictions- 7-1 in the first round, 3-1 in the second, for 10-2 overall. This time I only picked one series- Ottawa vs. New Jersey, completely correct.

Sabres vs. Sens– I’m surprised at how many people are predicting the Senators to take this series. The Sabres were the best regular season team. Before you quote the stat, let me quote it for you – only one President’s Trophy winner in the past 14 years have won the cup (Rangers in 1994). Notice I did not say (yet) I thought the Sabres would win the Cup. Ottawa has advantages in PP and defense, I think the Sabres are better at all other aspects of the game. Although it’s interesting to talk about the back-to-back brawls that occurred during this regular season, there’s too much on the line to get into nasty stuff and risk suspensions. Sabres in 6.

Ducks vs. Wings– I’m 0-2 at picking against the Wings this post season, and I’m going to ride the wave to 0-3. The Ducks have a better blueline, a second line that can actually score (unlike the Sharks), and statistically better goaltending. Couple that with bigger, nastier players, and a hurting Wing defensive corps, and I think this series won’t be as close as people think it will be. If I’m going to be wrong, I’m going to be very wrong. It’s better to burn out than to fade away! Ducks in 5.

Unlike Grier, I honestly can’t pick who to root for in the next series. I hate the Wings because, they’re, well, the Wings. It’s kind of like rooting for the IRS. I hate the Ducks because they are in our division and because they owned us in the regular season. But I’d rather see the team that beat us go far because that makes the Sharks look better. But I have good friends down south that are diehard Ducks fans. I’ll watch the games because it’ll be a good series, and root against Teemu, but for Lidstrom, because that guy is too fucking good. But then I’ll root against Draper, because he’s a punk, and root for Scott Niedermayer, because he was great with the Devils. I can go on like this for awhile. I give up.

Update:The stat I quoted above about President’s Trophy winners not winning the Cup often is complete and total crap. Dunno where that came from in my brain, or why I didn’t check it beforehand. Thanks frank.