Hey gang, I'm buried under four feet of snow here in Wellsville, Utah, and hadn't really planned on posting anything until next week. One of the many reasons I got out of the journalism business was the opportunity to take a decent Christmas vacation, and I'm enjoying it, despite the blowing snow and howling wind. However, I just couldn't stay away from HockeyBuzz, so I've decided to help out with your Christmas gift decisions.
Jerseys are an excellent gift any time of year, but especially during Christmas time. Just imagine the joy that comes to a youngster's face when he tears open the box to find a shiny new Joe Thornton jersey or a crisp Dan Boyle jersey. However, the process of jersey selection is also fraught with peril. Let's face it, nobody wants to wander around HP Pavilion wearing a Brian Campbell or Steve Bernier jersey. And Shark fans would need the imagination of Dr. Seuss to explain why they're still donning that Mark Bell jersey.
In the spirit of Christmas, I'm unveiling the First Annual San Jose Sharks Holiday Jersey Guide, ranking the jerseys from Joe Thornton (your best bet for a long and embarrassment-free jersey) to Marcel Goc (who might be playing in Europe next year).
Joe Thornton - Big Joe will be wearing teal for as long as he wants to, and there's nobody on the roster with a greater likelihood of retiring in San Jose. Thornton is a force, and a generational talent. Playoff failures aside, he's a dominant presence and an absolute steal, even at $7.3 million.
Evgeni Nabokov - Is he still the crowd's overwhelming favorite? Maybe. Either way, the Nabokov jersey would be a great one to have. I've never been a big fan of goalie jerseys, but you won't find many better than Nabokov and he's not going anywhere, especially if the Sharks can bring home a Cup this summer.
Dan Boyle - He's locked up for a long, long time. If Boyle plays out the remainder of his mammoth contract in San Jose he'll be nearly 38 when it expires in the summer of 2014. The way he's played thus far, a Boyle jersey looks like a very good bet for a long time to come.
Devin Setoguchi - Better than Michalek, Bernier, Carle, Vlasic, or any other highly-heralded youngster in recent years, Setoguchi should be a mainstay on the top line for a long time. Some team could offer him the moon and the stars as an RFA, but I don't think they'll get the chance.
Jeremy Roenick - This is probably Roenick's last season, but he's a fan favorite and one of the best American-born players to ever lace them up. His 500th goal and Game 7 performance would both warrant jerseys, and you can never go wrong with a Hall of Famer's name across your back. Highly recommended.
Patrick Marleau - It wouldn't surprise anybody to see the captain retire in San Jose. Whether it's prudent on the part of general manager Doug Wilson remains to be seen, but he's shown a lot of patience in the star center/left wing. Despite what Jamie Baker says (speaking as if a great 30-game start is the ultimate goal) that patience won't be warranted until the Sharks win the Cup.
Joe Pavelski - At $1.6 million for this year and next, you couldn't pry Pavelski out of the Sharks roster with a crowbar. Besides, every time I talk to Wilson I tell him not to trade Pavelski, and every time he says he won't. I'd like to think I have some sway with the organization, but it's more common sense on Wilson's part.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - I grew up in Western Canada, so I'm still not entirely sold on his defense-without-any-physicality approach. Still, Vlasic is progressing at both ends of the ice and should be a mainstay on the San Jose blueline for a long time. You can't go wrong with the Vlasic jersey.
Jonathan Cheechoo - Trade rumors started spinning the first week of November, and Cheechoo could find himself headed East by the time the buzzer sounds on the trade deadline. Call it a hunch, but the Cheechoo jersey is a safe bet, because of both management's commitment to him and the timeless quality it holds as a Richard Trophy winner.
Christian Ehrhoff - Similar to Vlasic, but he's four years older and his contract is a year shorter. Still, if Ehrhoff can regain his scoring touch (zero points in his last 13 games) and shore up the horrible defensive play he's shown us over the last week his jersey stock will improve.
Douglas Murray - Murray is a decent option, but you'll need the broad shoulders to fill it out, and even then it won't come close to resembling the actual Douglas Murray. I don't see him going anywhere before 2013, making this jersey more reliable than most.
Jody Shelley - Nothing looks better on a toddler than a Shelley jersey, with the imposing #45 conjuring up images of black eyes and bloody noses. He's going to be around for another couple years at least, so it's a safe bet. Plus, it has to be rewarding sitting rinkside and flashing your Shelley jersey to George Parros as he skates to the penalty box with a freshly-mangled face.
Rob Blake - Blake could be back for another year after this season, and his jersey is an iconic one, right up there with Roenick's. Also, like Roenick, it never hurts wearing the jersey of a Hall of Famer, and both players are first-ballot all the way. Definitely recommended, even if he's only a Shark for one season.
Milan Michalek - Michalek oozes talent, and it's very encouraging to see him driving to the net more often, but he has to be a prime candidate for a salary dump if the Sharks feel the cap squeeze over the next couple years. He's not fragile anymore, but he's not indestructible either, and he's regressing while nearly everyone else is enjoying a career year. Proceed with caution here.
Mike Grier - He's a UFA this summer, and time will tell if he fits into the team's salary structure. If money isn't a factor he's a Shark until he hangs them up, because of his consistency and unwavering work ethic every night. Those qualities would make him a very attractive free agent, and he could be in high demand this summer.
Torrey Mitchell - I'm only hesitant here because we don't know what kind of player Mitchell is going to be when he returns. You hope he can pick up from his midseason performance from his rookie season, but he wasn't the same player after the Kurtis Foster incident and his rehab has taken long than expected.
Brad Lukowich - Not the sexiest jersey out there, but his salary is very reasonable and he's probably not going anywhere in the near future. It's a conservative pick. It won't light anyone's hair on fire, but should provide reliable coverage day-in, day-out, just like Lukowich.
Ryane Clowe - Clowe is on pace for 65 points, and he's due to become an RFA at the end of the season. Either the Sharks are going to pony up $4+ million, Clowe will take a massive discount, or he's going to find a new home next season. I'd bet option C, so hold off on that Clowe jersey for now.
Brian Boucher - I don't see him staying in San Jose very long if he keeps putting up those remarkable, some would say Vezina-esque numbers. There are a few teams looking to shore up their goaltending, and Boucher could fit the bill as he becomes a UFA this summer. Or the Sharks could deal him at the deadline, because he probably wouldn't play more than a handful of games beyond that point anyway.
Marcel Goc - You might be inclined to say The German Cap Gun has really stepped it up this season, but the numbers (25 games, 6 points, -4) prove otherwise. If you're West German or really love underachieving centers go for it. Otherwise, pass on the Goc jersey.
Alexei Semenov - Well, you'd be the only kid on your block to own one.
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