Teal Progress

I couldn't be much happier with the Sharks right now. I just wanted to put that out there.

The team is playing really well right now, that much is obvious. What needs a reminder, however, is that we all truly knew the team could do it. Goaltending and defense were everyone's deficit du jour at the beginning of the season, but a commitment to team ideals has significantly improved.

I have always imagined that Dany Heatley was selfish with the puck (since I didn't see him play very often), but I have been wrong about him. He's shown time and time again that he's willing to give up on a shot attempt if the pass is the better play. He's also been backchecking like crazy all season long. Sure, he gets burned occasionally, but no one is perfect.

Joe Thornton has been a revelation this year, too. He's still dishing the puck to every recipient he can find, willing and not, but it's not all been from the half-boards. He used to set up behind the goal, like he was pretending to be Gretzky, but now those passes are from everywhere on the ice. Need a puck taken out of the d-zone? Look out, here comes Jumbo. Wanna hit a stretch pass to expose the pinching defensemen? Joe's already halfway to the goalie. The only complaint about Joe is that he's not usually the one bringing the puck into the offensive zone. He can steal the puck in the corner, rush it up ice, but then he crosses the blue line and laterally passes to a winger. I'd like to see him bring that right in on the goalie. Dealing with what's been happening already, though, he should be dishing off and then parking in front of the net. Unfortunately, he typically skates by the net and sets up behind, waiting to begin the cycle.

I'm sure he's not making that decision entirely on his own. I understand the philosophy of Todd McLellan, but sometimes it would be nice to apply direct pressure on the goalie instead of cycling around, playing the perimeter game, and trying to sneak shots through from the point. It's been working lately, but the direct method mixed in there, too, would make us a much more dangerous team.

Tonight we face Calgary. Beating them in regulation would more or less end their season. I think that's a fair trade-off for the 2007 playoffs. All right, Sharks, go get them!

Analysis of Sweater Numbers, by Position

[Originally posted on Fear The Fin on 3/20/2011

I've been thinking about this for a while: which jersey numbers are most common in the NHL? Is number 20 really a "goalie number?" Which is most common for a forward? What about defensemen? Of course, some numbers have been retired by some teams, and one number has been retired by the league. I'll include those numbers as I find them.

Players who only played a few games will be ignored, and I'll put that cutoff at 10 games for skaters and 3 games for goalies, as of 3/19/2011. Also, teams will be listed in order alphabetically, except Winnipeg will be listed as PHX and be between PHI and PIT.

All right, found a slight problem. The official pages for teams who made trades during the season have already deleted contributions from their trade partner. Seriously, go look it up. I couldn't find Ben Eager 's old number. I couldn't find Ian White 's old number. I couldn't even find Dan Ellis' old number, even though I knew it to be 22 (because he was too, too rich ha!). All you'll get is numbers for new teams. If you're disappointed in this news, get over it.

Defending the Team

I only have time for a quick update (and it's been a long time anyway).

In the Bay Area lately, there have been several seismic events. Occurences that registered 4.1, 4.5, and 4.0 on the Richter scale, respectively. If you felt one of them, you already know that they haven't been earthquakes. Nay. These seismic events are the combined masses of former fans jumping off of the bandwagon.

If you'd like to shit on the team, you should know two things.

1. It's only a game. In our NHL, only one team is allowed to win.
2. When the team starts winning again (and they will!), it will gladly have you back as a fan. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be embarrassed and return with your tail between your legs.

Have a great night, all, and enjoy tonight's slant against the Oilers!