Tag: HHOF

Who are the Sharks “big-time” players?

After losing a first round series to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said/lamented:

“In the end, you’ve got to have big-time players up the middle and on the back to be successful. So those are questions in our organization that we work towards, drafting good and developing good, but we don’t win too much. That’s the facts.”

So, who on the Sharks current roster are the “big time” players?  The ones that are easy to justify a Hockey Hall of Fame induction?

Joe Thornton, center. 2005-present. Every time he scores or assists, he’s climbing the list of all-time scorers in the HHOF. Gold Medal in Olympics. Art Ross trophy 2005. Hart Memorial trophy 2005. NHL All Star.

And near the top of the list:

Patrick Marleau, center. 1997-present. Holder of many franchise records. Gold medals in Olympics. NHL All Star.

Joe Pavelski, center. 2006-present. Silver medal in Olympics.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, defenseman. 2006-present. He’s the steady defensive defenseman who you don’t notice as he’s always in position. Gold medal in Olympics.

Brent Burns, defenseman. 2011-present. Unpredictable, unconventional. NHL All Star. Hybrid defenseman and sometime forward.

But other than that? Time will tell.

Sharks players that have made the Hall of Fame?

  • Igor Larionov, center.  Shark from 1993 to 1995. Inducted 2008
  • Ed Belfour, goaltender. Shark in 1997. Inducted 2011.
  • Rob Blake, defenseman. Shark from 2008 to 2010. Inducted 2014.

And Larry Robinson, (former) associate coach. Inducted in 1995 (as player).

Retired players that probably should be in HHOF?

  • Mike Vernon, goaltender. Shark from 1997-2000
  • Vincent Damphousse, center. Shark from 1998-2004
  • Teemu Selanne, right wing.  Shark from 2000-2003.
  • Gary Suter, defenseman. Shark from 1998-2002.
  • Doug Wilson, defenseman. Shark from 1991-1993. (Or might he get in as a builder/GM?)
  • Owen Nolan, right wing. Shark from 1995-2003. Inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
  • Arturs Irbe, goaltender. Shark from 1991-1996. Inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

I’d add Mike Ricci, but he is all heart, and that’s hard to quantify.

Who do you think of the Sharks current depth chart will make the Hall of Fame?

Draft prep, upcoming awards, HHOF inductees and TWTW

A week later, and things aren’t too much different.

Transactions summary and the week that was

Sharks have re-signed Al Stalock and Mike Brown, pending UFAs.  It’s also been expressed that pending RFA James Sheppard will be back.

For Worcester, there’s an underlying chill with news coming out the the AHL is looking to allow the western NHL teams to relocate their AHL affiliations nearer to them on the west coast, perhaps as soon as next fall (for 2015-16 season), which would mean the upcoming season could be the last for the Worcester Sharks. It was announced that Jimmy Boneau has signed a new AHL deal, head coach Roy Sommer will return for another season, but assistant coach David Cunniff will be heading elsewhere for his future.

(See Transactions for further details.)

Sharks TV Analyst Drew Remenda won’t be returning next season.

Sharks released their seven game preseason schedule, including a (home) game in Stockton and three at SAP Center.

On the horizon:

On Sunday (6/22 1pm PT), the NHL will release the full season schedule. (Already released: the home openers of each team.  Sharks will travel to LA to watch the Kings hoist their second Stanley Cup banner on 10/8. Sharks open their home schedule 10/11 hosting the Winnipeg Jets.)

Monday and Tuesday, the Hockey Hall of Fame committee meets to vote on up to four players to enter the Hall, plus builders, etc.  Owen Nolan and Mike Ricci are two possible former Sharks that might get that honor.

On Tuesday 6/24, the NHL will host their annual awards in Las Vegas.  There are a couple of Sharks among the finalists for awards, but no real stand out “sure fire” winners. (I thought PHWA SJ chapter Masterton nominee Al Stalock had a chance, but he’s not even a finalist.)

Then on Friday, starts the NHL draft, in Philadelphia.  Round one will be held Friday evening; rounds 2-7 on Saturday. Sharks have seven picks (first, two seconds, third, fifth and two sixths).  (But with the “rebuild-on” mode mood-setting from Doug Wilson, there may be a few veteran players departing the team, who don’t want to stick around for the rebuild, that might add to the number of picks the Sharks have.)  Sharks are hosting their first ever draft party at Stanley’s Bar at Sharks Ice in San Jose for the first round.

And on July 9, the Sharks will trot out their prospects in a 7pm scrimmage at SAP Center.  The two coaches will be Mike Ricci and Bryan Marchment. (Tickets go on sale 6/24 via Ticketmaster; proceeds to benefit Sharks Foundation.)