I will never forget the 2009 playoffs when the Sharks lost to the Ducks in the 1st round. That series to me was simply a matchup of the two premier power forwards in the league at the time: Getzlaf vs Thornton.

Getlaf was simply the better player and I would trade Thornton for the guy any day of the week. Back then, that trade wouldn't have been such a ludicrous thought. Now though, Thornton wouldn't get us Saku **** Koviu off that roster.

DW did an incredible job of avoiding a rebuild and simply finding talented players for years. But I'm afraid without anymore prospects or valuable picks to spare for top flight players on the open trade market, we can no longer do the same.

You're correct, the Sharks are going to have a rough time in the near future.

It's time to press the reset button.

As a season ticket holder of 21 years, I've devoted my life to this team and while the last 6 years have been fun, this core group clearly can't get it done anymore.

If possible I'd like the following to happen:

-Trade Big Joe, Dan Boyle, and Martin Havlat (preferably for draft picks and younger NHL ready talent, again, if possible)
-Sign Couture long term.
-Let Moore, Vandermeer, White, and Niitymaki go.
-Do NOT, trade for Rick Nash on draft day.
-Unless Wilson pulls the trigger on his usual blockbuster deal in the offseason fire him.
-If the team doesn't make the playoffs, fire Doug Wilson, and make sure Todd McLellan knows his job as HC is on the hot seat.

Basically, I think it's time this entire organization gets a facelift. Doug Wilson has done a remarkable job as GM putting together a top flight, competitive team consistently, but the reality is, we've never won the big prize and that is in part his fault. Big Joe and Dan Boyle are the two most important personel changes as neither of them are anywhere near the player they were when we acquired them. Plus dumping their cap hits would do wonders for the team in the long run.

If there is any level-headed person in here who has the time, would you mind explaining to me how this all started? I'm curious.

I agree.

Well said.

I went to a Pirates-Red Sox game in Pittsburgh this past summer and had a very similar experience. I'm a Giants fan, so I had no rooting interest in the game, but it was very interesting to watch how Red Sox fans behaved. They were for the most part, obnoxious, rude, and as you said, believe their team is the end all, be all of the sport.

LOL, WWJ, I pointed that out to my dad today. Too funny that the worst division in football pulls off 4 wins in the same week.

He's accomplished a lot. But whose to say that the way a team plays isn't "real hockey"?

This is just a classic Pronger thing to say. I think this guy is one of the greatest of all-time and pretty funny at times. But boy does he run his mouth with little credibility.

I believe Alabama and LSU may both very well be the two best teams in the country. But I firmly disagree with you about a rematch. Alabama had their shot and missed it. It's time for either Okie State, or Stanford, or Boise, or some other team such as Oregon (should the other unbeatens lose) to get a chance.

Hernandez would be a good pickup for the Giants. Not sure who we'd give up to get him, but I sure hope it wouldn't be too much for an average catcher who will be gone after the season.

Sounds like it will be a non-event though anyways, as the Reds are silly enough to believe they can make the postseason.

I don't understand what the Rasmus trade has to do with La Russa leaving. Wouldn't that only further the belief that La Russa would stay in St. Louis? And why would Ozzie leave the White Sox for the Marlins? Where would they get all that money from? Ahhh, so many questions!!!

Why are we still talking about this obscene, treacherous couple? They should have absolutely nothing to do with baseball at this point.

I think they need to demote him. Great player, but using him off the bench will only serve to interupt his development. If they feel they need to acquire an OF'er to fill his place, Michael Bourn is available.

Losing to the Buccanneers by 24 in the Super Bowl barely counts as relevant in my book. Haven't we made the playoffs more recently than the Raiders? If I'm not mistaken the Niners last playoff appearance was '03.

More recently than the last time the Raiders WON a superbowl. (1994)

Niners are 5-0 in Super Bowls.

At least we have a compotent coach now. And Al Davis isn't our owner, therefore we win.

Oh, and can you remind me who won both Pre and Regular season games last year between the two?

That's what I thought, DeeJuh.

Says the Raider fan....

I disagree. People thought the same when Moss came to the Patriots. He turned out to be a stud for the first 2 years in NE. The truth is, OchoCinco has never been a lockeroom cancer. He has been a distraction before with the name changing and elaborate TD celebrations, but he's never had noted issues with teammates.

Haynesworth will be an interesting case. But playing for a competitive team with leaders in place to keep him in line, I see no reason why the relationship can't work out.

Big Al will fail his physical and miss 8 games again this year. This trade is a non-event for the Pats.

Ok, just kidding. The Pats became a significantly better team today. Wasn't sure that was possible!

The conference has won more Nat'l Titles than any other. And it's not even close. UCLA, Stanford, and USC are 1, 2, and 3 in that order for most Nat'l Titles by individual schools.

With that said, I'd say it's hard to pinpoint one thing.