141008 – Sharks @ Kings 7pm NBCSN

Game 1, road game 1. (NHL game 0004)

TV: NBCSN with Dave Strader, Brian Engblom
Radio:  Sharks Radio Network; Sirius 211 XM 218 (LAK feed)

UPDATE: Niemi vs Quick expected matchup in net.  Irwin scratched on blueline.  Mueller and Tierney to make NHL debuts.

Sharks can’t escape the national spot light after their historic disappointment in the opening round. They didn’t even get to play in May.  And it’s no mistake that the Sharks are facing the Kings watching the Stanley Cup banner raised as one of four games on opening night.

The hype this off season has focused on the collapse and the (apparent lack of) reaction to said collapse. There were no changes in coaching or general manager (NHL) while many pundits were calling for one or both. And the leadership is changing with the captaincy stripped from Joe Thornton (and assistancy from Marleau); again pundits wonder why they are still on the roster (rather than having their hand forced to waive their NTCs and find greener pastures).

My take on these changes are the following:

First, if you fire the coach and/or GM, are there internal candidates ready to step into those positions that will be better?  (No)  Second, are there equivalent or better available people out there to take the positions? (No at the time, and highly unlikely most of those that did come available over the course of the summer could do a better job.)

Next, while a disappointing situation for Thornton and Marleau, it has motivated them for the upcoming season. They are not getting any younger, so perhaps it’s just “time” to change over the leadership.  Even if the two players were willing to waive their NTCs (and they weren’t), it’s highly unlikely the Sharks would be able to trade these guys for same/better offensive production (without having to “over pay” and under value these two players). Who are my candidates for leadership?  Pavelski (first American captain of Sharks?), Couture, and Vlasic.

The Sharks shipped out Boyle, Havlat, Stuart. Burish returns to health.  And it looks like Mirco Mueller and Barclay Goodrow will start the season on the NHL roster (maybe more rookies; waiting for the final movement(s) to be announced). Update:  rookies Tierney, Hayes and near-rookie Tye McGinn are on the roster as well; Goodrow is nursing sore hand and will start the season as a non-roster player.  That leaves 2 G, 7 D, 13 F (plus Goodrow non-roster; Kennedy, Sheppard on IR; Torres on LTIR).

While Nikolay Goldobin had some great moves at training camp, he is heading off to Finland for the season. (And it may be IIHF transfers that helped with that decision.)

Now on to the game.  It’s the season opener for both teams.  Kings will raise their Stanley Cup banner (will the team wait in the dressing room after warmups or will they come out and be on the bench to watch the raising? — Sharks will stay in the dressing room).

Starters:  Have to think that Quick will start for the Kings.  But will it be Stalock or Niemi for the Sharks?  Wait and see (morning skate should be over ~noon ish).

Kings want to put a stamp on their season and potential dynasty.  Sharks want to come out sell and meek out a small measure of revenge for the playoffs.

Let’s show the rest of the league how rivalries play out.

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