The new year offers a great time to regroup and refocus, looking back on the major events of 2007 while looking forward to the promise of 2008. It was an up-and-down year for the Sharks, with some highlights (Clowe's hat trick, Roenick's 500th, Rissmiller's goal, Thornton's contract) to go along with a few disappointments (Hannan's clearing attempt, Marleau's slump, Game Six, new jerseys) but I think it was a successful year overall for the Sharks.
Obviously it was a failure in the sense the Sharks didn't win the Stanley Cup, but they made big strides over the past calendar year. When 2007 began we didn't know whether players like Clowe, Pavelski, Vlasic and Murray were going to be regular NHLers. I know the cynics would suggest some of them might not be, but we have a much better idea where each player stands.
We didn't know whether Nabokov or Toskala was going to be the team's eventual starter. Also, we didn't know which players would make up the core of the team going forward. Today, in the opening stages of 2008 we know all these things.
Sure there have been some rough patches, and there's always room for improvement, but you have to think 2007 brought the Sharks closer to their eventual goal of winning a Stanley Cup. I still don't think San Jose ranks among the league's elite, but every team is either moving forward or sliding backward. I think it's safe to say the Sharks are a better team today than they were a year ago. Many individuals haven't lived up to expectations, but overall the team is better.
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It's funny, but I went out of town for a week and the team suddenly lit up like a flaming Christmas tree. I enjoyed some time away, nestled under three feet of Canadian snow, but it's great to be back and I can't wait to jump back into the blog. It's been a great year for HockeyBuzz and things are only going to get better in 2008. Personally, I decided to make a few resolutions for the blog to keep things flowing and make some improvements.
1) No procrastinating - I don't know if it's possible to break a resolution before you even make it, but I was planning on writing this blog yesterday. Either way, the internet gives us a great chance to get the word out instantly. However, that's lost when Semenov breaks his finger on Thursday and it doesn't get mentioned in the blog until Sunday.
2) Guests galore - I realize SharksBuzz listeners would probably like to hear from people other than Mark and I, and we're looking forward to a slew of guests. It could be current players, coaches, management, media, former Sharks, you never know who'll be dropping by the show. Of course, we'll give you plenty of notice so you can gather the family round and enjoy with us.
3) No problem without a solution - It's easy to criticize, but I'm making a resolution not to pick out the negative without offering a solution. Of course, one man can't solve all the world's ills, but it's always better to examine something and add to it with some recommendations.
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Join us tonight for the return of SharksBuzz. We have a lot to talk about so tune at 10pm PT and feel free to call in at (724) 444-7444 talkcast ID# 74909.
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