The Shake-Up

Word came down a few days ago that the Senators had rejected a San Jose proposed swap of troubled winger Dany Heatley for Jonathan Cheechoo and Christian Ehrhoff.

1st thought: Of course they rejected it. That's a fantasy hockey deal you propose to a buddy as a joke. Dougie would get razzed like crazy for that on the league message board. General consensus seems to be the Sharks would need to either throw in a 3rd piece or upgrade Cheechoo to something like a Michalek.

2nd thought: Make it happen, Wilson. Look, Heatley's personal problems are no mystery - the guy has forced a trade twice now in his brief career. But San Jose's salary cap issues aren't exactly shrouded in mystique, either. I'd love for every player to pass through Teal Town to be a saint off the ice and a 40 goal-scoring beast on the ice, but that just isn't going to happen. We need more goal scoring, we need to dump our dead weight contracts, and this trade would go a long way to remedy both problems.

Revolving Door

1 in, 1 out - Travis Moen signed with the Montreal Canadiens, and it looks like San Jose's newest 4th line center is Scott Nichol.

By the way, if you run a Sharks blog and like to Google Image Search the names of newly signed players, Scott Nichol is an awesome, awesome acquisition. Although not if you like to update your Sharks blog while at work.







Just so we're clear, that link is NSFW.

CapWatch '09 - Day 1

Coincidence these came in Sharks colors? I think not.

Things that made me laugh from Day 1 of NHL Free Agency:

• Marian Hossa's new contract, obviously.
• The New York Islanders showing immediately thereafter why you don't give out 10+ year contracts.
• Really, Chicago? I mean this barely makes sense from a personnel and fiscal perspective, but think about the karma! He went from falling short with the Pens to jinxing the rival Wings, and now he's jumping ship to another archrival, and you're locking that karma in for 12 years??? This, from the city cursed by the Billy Goat?
• Dwayne Roloson's unbridled joy at signing with the Islanders (You really need to click that link). Whoooa there buddy! Reign in that excitement a little bit! The Isles should roll out a new marketing campaign - Where playing for us is as fun as a trip to the dentist! Feel the excitement of signing a contract, performing your required duties, and receiving a paycheck in accordance with the written agreement! Tune in this Sunday for the CBA on NBC! I'm getting way too much enjoyment out of this. Fuck Dwayne Roloson.

Things that made me cry on Day 1:

• Boosh and Griersy almost definitely having played their last games in teal. Boosh was one of the most quotable and hilarious sports players I've ever witnessed, not to mention an absolute beast as the #2 goaltender. Griersy was one of the best 2-way forwards in Sharks history. Both should be commended for their service and work ethic while in San Jose, and I'm terribly saddened to see such talented and likable players leave.
• Kent Huskins getting 2 years at $1.7M per. I understand rising player salaries and the difficulty in finding top 6 defensemen, but what the fuck? For a guy with 169 games of NHL service, who missed all but 33 games last season due to injury? Dougie must have a hard on for something with this guy. I honestly don't remember shit about his tenure with Anaheim so maybe this is reasonable, but injured, inexperienced D-Men getting hefty contracts when there's little cap space to spare makes me unhappy.
• Speaking of cap space - FUCK. I don't do CBA crunching but was aware our situation wasn't pretty, but HOLY SHIT WE ARE FUCKED. $0.5M in cap space to sign 4 wingers?!? If you don't like Cheechoo, Ehrhoff, or Michalek, today is a good day because at least 2 of them are G-O-N-E GONE. The Great Shakeup has gone from blogger hyperbole to fiscal necessity.
  

Good News, Buddy!

It's Canada Day, guy!

I'm pretty sure that's the only thing happening today.