Obviously, no one other than Doug Wilson saw this coming. First off, San Jose Shark - Phoenix Coyote Player Exchange Program works the other way - where we send them all our washed up has-beens (see Ricci, Nolan), not the other way around. Second, weren't there reports 2 months ago saying the elder statesman was all but retired? Third, we Sharks fans like our players young, quiet, and cheap. Roenick only fulfills that last requirement, signing for an alleged $500,000.
Thinking this over again, though, I can almost see how this makes sense. The team desperately needs some vocal leadership. Patrick Marleau fits the lead-by-example mold of a Captain. However, its hard to lead by example when you completely disappear and blow assignments in critical playoff games. Who on the Sharks would call him out? Joe? Cheech? Hannan? Speaking of Hannan, we have an empty "A" for next season... If Roenick provides vocal leadership without spouting off with too much bullshit, the Sharks can certainly improve with his presence.
The bigger question will be Roenick's place on the ice. Let's take a look at those Centers:
- Patrick Marleau
- Joe Thornton
- Joe Pavelski
- Curtis Brown
- Marcel Goc
- Patrick Rissmiller
- Mark Smith (?)
- Jeremy Roenick
Ok, Ok, that's not the point of this post. I'm happy we got a vocal leader for super-duper cheap. I just wish we got that in the same package as a LW or D-man who isn't old enough to be my dad.
2 comments:
Well said. However, let's not forget that Mr. Roenick was an unstoppable force in NHL '94. I humiliated many an opponent when using the Blackhawks and JR, and for that reason I think he deserves a clean slate here in San Jose. Plus, the silicon valley is the best place to get him suited up with some bionic legs so that he can actually jump over the boards and skate from one end of the ice to the other.
Post a Comment