Before I get into anything, I suppose I should make an announcement first. This will be my last piece for HockeyBuzz since I will be moving out of state next month – the major reason as to why I’ve been absent. Who knew moving could be a huge pain? I’ll miss hockey and I’ll be missing my spot here at HockeyBuzz.
So, I figure I’d go out the way I came in. Remember my “Why the San Jose Sharks Are Like My Ex-Boyfriends” piece? Well, I’ve decided to re-do that a bit. Yes, you all will be taking a trip through my neurosis during the first date. Does it connect to the Sharks? Heck, I figure I could connect anything relating to the Sharks to just about anything in my life.
Getting Ready
The first thing I worry about is what to wear – I don’t want to look like the overdressed, high-maintenance princess compared to the basketball shorts, Rainbows-wearing guy, so I tend to try on at least ten different possible outfit combinations, never really settling on a decision. Not like that’s high-maintenance. What do I do? I end up picking the same old pair of jeans and shirt. I guess I never really shake things up. And, guess what! Neither do the Sharks.
The main problem I have with the Sharks is that they generally just don’t make any significant moves, especially regarding the Sharks’ core players. A lot of people were calling for Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau to be traded, tarred, and feathered (not necessarily in that order), and I can’t say that I blame any of them. When your best players tend to disappear when it matters the most, there are significant problems.
My prediction? I bet they both stay in San Jose. This is just my pessimistic hunch, mind you – just considering how the Sharks tend to overlook small things like having your best players continually underwhelm during the playoffs. However, if both players stay, I do believe that there needs to be a new captain. My personal favorite candidate for the job would be Dan Boyle, one of the only people who actually showed up to play in April. But hey, I’m just saying, is all.
What do I order?
Normally, I feel like actually eating a meal when I go out. I don’t typically eat a piece of lettuce and a crouton, so why should I change my habits because I’m on a date? I figure I’ll wait to see what he orders and then look to see what I should order within that price range. I don’t want to be ordering a steak when he’s just getting a $9 entrée.
The Sharks aren’t at the stage where the entire team needs to be blown-up, but there are a few guys that have been skating by (Ha, literally…) and, in my opinion, aren’t worth the big bucks. Doug Wilson likes to order steaks, apparently.
Case in point: Milan Michalek. The guy really hasn’t done too much to demonstrate any type of substantial worth to the team. He shows glimpses of the type of player he can be – big, speedy, scoring power forward – and yet he goes on long streaks of absolutely nothing and still has yet to prove himself in the playoffs (well, that can be said for most of the Sharks….). Not to mention, his cap hit is going to be a little large. Unless Doug Wilson comes to his senses and sees that Michalek’s not worth the coin, he’ll be in teal through the 2013-14 season. Yikes.
Who else is there to talk about? Well, the glaring one would also be Jonathan Cheechoo. Cheechoo is far too overpaid for the job he’s been doing - $3 million a year through the 2010-11 season. I realize it’s hard for most people to let go of Cheechoo after his Rocket Richard season, but the fact of the matter is that he needs to ship out of San Jose. How? Not sure. His trade value is miniscule, but that $3 million would leave a bit of breathing room.
The Future Looks Murky
And always, the inevitable question – what do I do at the end of the date? Should I give him a hug? Kiss on the cheek? Do I bring up going on another date, or do I let him say something? I never really know the first date protocol, but if anyone figures it out, let me know.
It’s my uncertainty during dates that makes me feel a little uneasy. I’m somewhat of a control freak, so not knowing what’s next frightens me to an extent.
What’s going to happen to the Sharks roster over the summer is completely beyond me. I’d really love to be a fly on the wall during a conference call in Doug Wilson’s office (hey, if you know someone who could make that happen…). Will Wilson ever make any blockbuster trades to bring the right talent to San Jose? Are there going to be any exciting free agent signings, or is Ryane Clowe’s new contract going to be the biggest piece of news this summer? All Sharks fans can hope for is a roster that can contend for a Cup and not fall short once again.
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Once again, I’d like to give a big thanks to Ek for giving me a chance, Mark and Ryan for being great guys to write and work with, everyone in the HockeyBuzz family, and anyone who has ever read any one of my pieces.
For the last time…Go Sharks!
-Danielle
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