Both sides of the coin (TWTW)

But luck’s division is perverse
It seems to work more in reverse
If things are better, they’ll be worse
In just a little while!

Ha’penny, one penny, tupenny, thrupenny
Twelve to a shilling, twice that to a florin
To find the same face on both sides of the coin?
Bob is your uncle from pennies to guineas,
The two-sided mint is the rule, not exception,
And would you not quite feel quite the fool of deception
To find the same face on both sides of the coin?

Rupert Holmes after Charles Dickens (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)

Check out this past week’s news stories here.

The events of the past week focused on two main events: the NHL Awards (Tuesday) and the NHL Entry Draft (Friday-Saturday).

In the former, neither finalist who attended (Burns, Marleau) was tapped, and only one Shark was  named to the 2nd team (Pavelski). And the ‘cast was worse — not even worth fast-forwarding through. (A HORRENDOUS result)

In the latter, Sharks shifted gears from past drafts, emphasizing European players with their first few picks, and picking up not one collegiate bound player.  The team came to the draft with 7 picks, and ended with 8 draftees. (Check out the prospects drafted here; video interviews with the players in Philadelphia can be found at news link above) All the 2014 draftees, excluding Vanier who’s recovering from surgery, are expected to participate at the early July Sharks prospect camp; a public scrimmage will be held at SAP Center on July 9 — tickets are $5 (benefiting the Sharks Foundation), parking is free. (A good result)

Contrast that with the concern and outpouring for 43 year old former Canucks great Gino Odjink really set the hockey world a flutter.  He announced he has a rare heart disease that is hardening his heart and he could have only weeks to live. And helps all of us remember what’s important: family and love. (Not a good result)

And word has come that the Sharks have been unable to find a trade partner, so they will be buying out the remaining year of Martin Havlat’s contract. (Ambivalent result depending on your feelings toward the player)

Yet the beat goes on

The upcoming week marks the deadline Monday 6/30 for qualifying offers to the Sharks’ nine RFAs.  (Sharks have already indicated that Sheppard will return.  I think at least two being allowed to walk. Three players have “defected” to Europe; Sharks can choose to retain their rights by making QO.) QOs nominally “expire” July 15.

While other teams (than those who currently hold a player’s rights) have been able to talk to pending RFAs and UFAs since Wednesday 6/25, starting 7/1 those teams can sign the UFAs or make offer sheets to the RFAs.  And players with QOs can start signing deals.  Plus those whose multi-year contracts that expire in June 2015 can start signing extensions.

In the draft recap, DW indicated that the Sharks concentrated on the draft in Philadelphia, but some of the current players on the roster may be finding new homes soon.

You might think summer is boring, but it can be filled with lots of intrigue and speculation.

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