Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes -- David Bowie
For the first time since November 30, 2005, when the San Jose Sharks next take to the ice, it will be without #19 Jumbo. Joe Thornton has signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs to continue/play out his NHL career at age 41, about two hours from his home town of London, Ontario.
The tributes from the Sharks, memories from Sharks teammates fill social media. Fans are shocked, devastated, angry.
"The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward." -- Steve Maraboli
It is perhaps 10 weeks until NHL camps open for a potential restart of January 1, 2021. Coaches may use that time to tweak plans for forward lines, power play and penalty kill without the Sharks organization’s all time leading scorer. The general manager may use that time to put together the best roster he can for the opening night (there could even be a just-before-puck-drop trade with a cap strapped team or intriguing player on the waiver wire).
"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." -- Wayne W. Dyer
Players will have to get used to a new dynamic in the dressing room, without the jovial center to keep the mood light. The leadership group and dynamics have changed. (I’m hoping for great focus and deeper camaraderie.)
"People change. Circumstances change." -- Nicholas Sparks
Things won’t be the same as the start of the 2019-2020 season.
Brendan Dillon, Dalton Prout, Barclay Goodrow, Lukas Radil, Tim Heed, Aaron Dell, Jonny Brodzinski, AND Joe Thornton were on the NHL 2019-2020 opening night roster. And none will be in the line up for puck drop on the 2020-2021 season.
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” -- Hermann Hesse
If you want a memory of Jumbo’s accomplishments, it may be on sale at the Sharks store. Put it on a shelf and find a new favorite player.
Time to move on. Come to grips with the fact that the future Hall of Famer center won’t be in teal. (But may choose to be seen wearing teal when inducted.)
“Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” -- Mandy Hale
The last time the Sharks had a worse season record than 2019-20? 2002-03. And then had an amazing run ten straight playoff appearances.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” -- John F. Kennedy
Many of the pundits seem to think the Sharks will (forever) be mired at the bottom of the division, conference and league, even though they still have two Norris winning defensemen, and lead the league in 2019-20 in PK%.
My observation is when the Sharks are belittled, have lowered expectations (external to the organization), and less attention is paid, they exceed those (external) expectations greatly. I expect great improvement in the 2020-21 season.
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” -- Abraham Maslow
The other teams in the division and league aren’t standing still in their rosters or plans. Many changes in goalies, defenders and scorers around the league. It won’t be a walk in the park to return to the playoffs, much less succeed in the postseason. With a closed US-Canada border, division alignment may change for the season. (And who knows how teams will be ranked or faceoff for playoffs in that scenario.)
The marching orders have changed, looking for a better season start than the past few seasons.
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” -- John Maxwell
Everyone has changed as a result of the COVID restrictions and deprivations. Things that weren’t thought so important, are. It should be easier, in some ways, to play with more urgency and passion after the lacks/loss of last season.
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” -- William Arthur Ward
The break in play has given the coaching staff time and focus to layout the adjustments needed to play better for the upcoming season. And time to analyze the other 30 teams and their strengths and weaknesses.
It has given players the time to heal from injuries, surgery. And time to train and improve physically, focus mentally.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -- Nelson Mandela
A new season is coming. The puck will drop. How well the Sharks did during their months without playing will be tested and measured by their on ice play.
"We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance." -- Harrison Ford
Time for the Sharks to hunt their opponent/prey, like their namesake, and escape the dark depths of the 2019-2020 season into the light as an apex predator on the ice for the 2020-2021 season.
Let’s go Sharks!