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08:24 AM ET 10.07 | The Sharks have earned a rep for being a good team, just not yet a great one. The question is direct: Is this Sharks team the best in the franchise's 21-year history? General manager Doug Wilson bobs and weaves to avoid an answer. It's not because he doesn't believe in the team he has constructed -- he does. He just doesn't want his answer to reflect poorly on all the teams that preceded this one, so he hedges. Mike Ricci, who has been part of the Sharks organization for most of the past 14 seasons, isn't as constrained. "Well, they're definitely better than our team in '04," says Ricci, a key member of the first Sharks team to reach the Western Conference finals. ... "The team is better than it's been," said Ricci, now a development coach.

Joe Thornton, Getty Images

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October 7, 2011 08:25 AM ET

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Maybe, Bro.

I Love LA

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October 7, 2011 08:31 AM ET

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Did you know that San Jose is the city of origin for the word "Choke"?

Home Theater Guy

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October 7, 2011 08:33 AM ET

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"Is this the best Sharks team yet?"

They moved Heatley yet still have Thornton. I don't see them win when it counts. Again.

Stranger

Pearl City, HI

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October 7, 2011 08:43 AM ET

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playoff team? maybe.
team built to win the Cup? no, sorry. that ship has sailed.

BrownsBucksBlueJacke…

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October 7, 2011 08:52 AM ET

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No Leaf thread? What is happening with this world!?!?

Anyways, the Leafs are obviously gonna win the Cup. Pull out that parade route from '67, and make the needed adjustments, cause the Leafs are winning the Cup!

They only have the best goalie, EVER! Lombardi is the next Gretzky! Phaneuf has returned to his old form! Gardiner is the next Bobby Orr. Steckel is the next Messier! This team can't be stopped!

Argos.

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October 7, 2011 08:56 AM ET

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But in all seriousness, can someone please fire Ron Wilson?

Why the hell did he start Komisarek, while scratching Franson, and sending Aulie to the minors? The Leafs should be going with 7-defenseman, and Komisarek should not be one of those guys. Aulie was arguably our best defenseman last year, and played great with Phaneuf, but you send him to the minors? And Franson is young and talented at both ends of the ice, and ten times the player that Komisarek is. Your salary shouldn't decide who plays.

Argos.

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October 7, 2011 09:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:31 AM ET 10.07 by Home Theater Guy

Did you know that San Jose is the city of origin for the word "Choke"?

I think you are on to something

drysdale

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October 7, 2011 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:52 AM ET 10.07 by Argos.

No Leaf thread? What is happening with this world!?!?

Congrats on your win last night. Not sure how many times I will have the chance to do it in 2011

drysdale

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October 7, 2011 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 10.07 by Argos.

But in all seriousness, can someone please fire Ron Wilson?Why the hell did he start Komisarek, while scratching Franson, and sending Aulie to the minors? The Leafs should be going with 7-defenseman, and Komisarek should not be one of those guys. Aulie was arguably our best defenseman last year, and played great with Phaneuf, but you send him to the minors? And Franson is young and talented at both ends of the ice, and ten times the player that Komisarek is. Your salary shouldn't decide who plays.

GO LEAFS GO!!! GO LEAFS GO!!!

Buc Fettman

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October 7, 2011 09:16 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 10.07 by I Love LA

Maybe, Bro.

Found a place to post first Bro? Ever said anything worth reading, Bro?

Slapshot

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October 7, 2011 09:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 10.07 by Argos.

But in all seriousness, can someone please fire Ron Wilson?

Why the hell did he start Komisarek, while scratching Franson, and sending Aulie to the minors? The Leafs should be going with 7-defenseman, and Komisarek should not be one of those guys. Aulie was arguably our best defenseman last year, and played great with Phaneuf, but you send him to the minors? And Franson is young and talented at both ends of the ice, and ten times the player that Komisarek is. Your salary shouldn't decide who plays.

Love the Leaf fans when they booed him during the introductions. :-)

Canuck eh?

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October 7, 2011 10:21 AM ET

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I want to go on record has having always said they're a pretty great team with no heart and won't go anywhere.

santapig

Kansas City , MO

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October 7, 2011 10:49 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:57 AM ET 10.07 by Canuck eh?

Love the Leaf fans when they booed him during the introductions. :-)

At least he's smart enough to realize it was coming...

Golden Bay

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October 7, 2011 11:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:49 AM ET 10.07 by Golden Bay

At least he's smart enough to realize it was coming...

Ya the "I told ya" line was perfect.

Canuck eh?

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October 7, 2011 11:07 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:33 AM ET 10.07 by Stranger

"Is this the best Sharks team yet?" They moved Heatley yet still have Thornton. I don't see them win when it counts. Again.

Yes. They're best they've had during the regular season, but it doesn't amount to a hill of beans if they cant win in the post season. The jury is still out on that one.

roamer

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October 7, 2011 12:12 PM ET

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Can someone tell me the difference between a "NTC" no trade clause and a "NMC" no movement clause?

ORANGE AND BLACK

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October 7, 2011 12:18 PM ET

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With the addition of Burns on the back end, and if Havlat is healthy going into the playoffs..then yes

The Bread Line

New York, NY

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October 7, 2011 12:28 PM ET

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QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 12:12 PM ET 10.07 by ORANGE AND BLACK

Can someone tell me the difference between a "NTC" no trade clause and a "NMC" no movement clause?

No movement would be not sent to the minors, yes?

santapig

Kansas City , MO

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October 7, 2011 12:39 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:56 AM ET 10.07 by Argos.

But in all seriousness, can someone please fire Ron Wilson?Why the hell did he start Komisarek, while scratching Franson, and sending Aulie to the minors? The Leafs should be going with 7-defenseman, and Komisarek should not be one of those guys. Aulie was arguably our best defenseman last year, and played great with Phaneuf, but you send him to the minors? And Franson is young and talented at both ends of the ice, and ten times the player that Komisarek is. Your salary shouldn't decide who plays.

He has to play him when the big man upstairs has been saying he's been out-playing other D-Men...most likely show-casing to TRY to trade him.