Chat is live - someone lead it off!
Who wants to start?
A couple notes for tonight: Joe Pavelski playing in his 400th game in the NHL; Antti Niemi will try and prevent Miikka Kiprusoff's 300th win in the league; Logan Couture brings a six-game point streak into the game
Who has a Sharks question?
Well they couple use a depth winger and someone who can play on special teams. I can't imagine they will be able to get a Top 6 forward - there just aren't any out there on the market that I they would be able to acquire, in my opinion.
I really doubt it. I think New Jersey holds onto him. They are playing pretty well lately.
Who's next? No too many questions being submitted at the moment...
Well I still think they are not as deep as Vancouver or Detroit, and if the Hawks upgrade their goaltending, I still think Chicago is better, too. But could I see the Sharks making a run to the finals? Of course.
No.
Sheppard will not be an option this year, I'd count him out.
Yeah, I'd say all of that. Beyond Joe Thornton, Partrick Marleau and Dan Boyle, the average hockey fan out there would have trouble naming more than a couple more Sharks, if that means anything.
No, not at this point. I see Brent Burns improving a lot lately, as I think all of those trades were all related.
Now, if Havlat is useless when he comes back and the team makes an early playoff exit, that could change.
Demers is supposed to start skating soon. Wingels is already, and he will play early in the road trip, if I had to guess.
Eh, he's been okay. I don't think it will have an impact on the team much at all.
Boyle is signed through 2013-14
Just the price they pay for having lots of time off early in the season...Sharks are one of 5 NHL teams with 17 March games.
Couldn't disagree more. Boyle is indispensable on this team right now.
In physical games where the gloves may come off, I'm fine with Vandermeer there as a forward. Brings more than Murray did when it comes to physical play, that's for sure.
There will certainly be more options. I would expect he goes back on the second line to start, though.
I haven't looked into that too much, but I can tell you from Niitty's perspective, he needs to play. He's a UFA after this season and is playing for his next contract, wherever that may be. Sharks have lots of young goalies in Worcester that need to play.
You know, I really don't. I think the Pacific Division race is as good as over. The Kings can't score, and they aren't getting any better in that department. I would be shocked if the Sharks don't win the division.
I was thinking yesterday, I can't believe he HASN'T lost a step.
Remember - he was playing through a broken foot the first part of the season. If you take Boyle's game in the last two months, he's been wonderful.
Well I think we're getting ahead of ourselves, but...don't count out St. Louis, either.
Hmm, good question. I'd say Handzus-Mitchell-McGinn, and Desjardins-Winchester-Ferriero/Wingels.
I can tell you that most players don't want the fighting policy to change.
Kevin Kurz CSN
Geoff James CSN
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