How to Get Over the Hump | PUCKHEAD PUBLIC DIVISION

In the San Jose Sharks 18 year old history, they have never made it past the Western Conference Finals. No Stanley Cup appearances, let alone Stanley Cup wins. For a team that has always been very competitive (other than their first two seasons), this is disgraceful. I am going to theorize in this blog how the Sharks can get over "the hump".

1. Add a Pure Goal Scorer

The Sharks have plenty of playmakers on their roster, but no true goal scorers who have a natural instinct for how to score. They never have had a player like this. So, what they need to do is find a way to get a deal done with the Senators for Dany Heatley. I know recently the trade talks between those two teams have died, but I still believe that Doug Wilson can, and should get something done.

Possible Trade? The Sharks need to get rid of Patrick Marleau. Listen, I'm as big, if not a bigger Marleau fan than the next guy, but I learned something this year that really had never occurred to me like it has for a guy like Joe Thornton. No matter how good of a regular season Marleau has, he will never produce in the playoffs. He had 2 points in 6 games for the Sharks and did nothing in terms of making a big play at either end. He needs to go as the Sharks already have enough talent to get to the playoffs.

2. Find a Leader

Let's face it, as good of a player as Joe Thornton is, he's not a leader. Neither is Marleau, Blake, Roenick, or any of the older players on the Sharks roster. In fact, the only player on the roster who in my opinion deserves to wear the "C" on their sweater is Dan Boyle. However, why not find a guy that actually is a leader. In my opinion the ideal captain is a guy like Jarome Iginla. He's a guy that truly can do it all on the ice. He'll score, pass, check, fight, skate his hardest, lead his guys, and do pretty much anything you ask him to do. Obviously however the Sharks cannot get Jarome Iginla, but they do need to find a poor man's Jarome Iginla. Just somebody who can do a little bit of everything.

Honestly, these are the only two things I can think of that the Sharks need to improve on. There's just no way of knowing how they will screw up next time in the postseason. However there are ways of helping to make the odds of it happening slimmer.

Comments (6) Add A Comment

July 15, 2009 01:43 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

as a part time worcster sharks fan i hope the can get to the finals vs. the bruins someday

Army of Adam

Total Comments (6990)

July 15, 2009 06:38 PM ET

i agree, marleau needs to go. he doesnt seem to want it bad enough and he's too big and too good to be so horrible in the playoff's. trade him!!! NOW!!!

steel_bullitt

Shark City, CA

Total Comments (48)

August 1, 2009 02:30 AM ET

I always hear people clamoring to trade Marleau but the problem is whos gonna take him? He has a pretty big contract with a lot of years left on it and his underperforming in the postseason im sure scares alot of teams away.

SJ Pete

Oakley, CA

Total Comments (326)

August 3, 2009 11:03 PM ET

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 02:30 AM ET 08.01 by SJ Pete

I always hear people clamoring to trade Marleau but the problem is whos gonna take him? He has a pretty big contract with a lot of years left on it and his underperforming in the postseason im sure scares alot of teams away.

True, but as a role player, I think he'd be a great addition to a team that wouldn't have him as a captain.