I didn’t grow up watching hockey. I’m an Ohio born California girl who grew up watching football and boxing for that is what my father watched the most when it came to sports. I never imagined I would ever become a hockey fan. I was 26 when I went to my first hockey game with my boyfriend; now husband who’s the biggest Sharks fan that I know. Being the hockey nut that he is, hockey is often talked about in our home and this evening we had discussion that I thought that I would share.
With all this talk of the Sharks “renovating” the team, I can’t help but think that our beloved Joe Thornton and long time and loved Patrick Marleau are on the auctions blocks. If I were able to talk to Doug Wilson and the rest of the Sharks front office I would say, STOP! Don’t trade Thornton or Marleau. I don’t think that that’s the answer. What I think the Sharks need to do is use the talent that they have now to win the Stanley Cup and bring it to San Jose. They have the talent to do this. They just need to make a few changes.
What you may ask? Well…
First… take away the “C” from Thornton and have no captain for the Sharks. Have two assistant captains and that is it. Make Logan and Pavelski assistant captains and hold ALL the players themselves accountable for the way they play. It’s obvious that being captain for a NHL team leaves a lot sitting on your shoulders. I see this in current captain Joe Thornton.
Being a fan, I’d love to tell Joe (respectfully) “You’re not perfect Joe. Stop trying to be. Just because you don’t see the “perfect shot” doesn’t mean you don’t try to score. Shoot the puck Joe and stop worrying if it goes in or not. Play and take the weight of the world off your shoulders.”
The Sharks front office needs to not give their “big name” players that responsibility. Let them do what they’re being paid to do… play.
All the other Sharks players also need to grasp that, they’re not perfect. Not a single one of them. They’re never going to be perfect so stop trying to make the “perfect” pass or the “perfect” goal. Get out there on the ice and go back to basics and play. Pepper that goalie in-between the pipes and shoot! The Mystery Men of Mystery, Alaska didn’t beat the New York Rangers, but they showed guts and almost won the game. I know referencing a movie may seem a little off topic to prove my point, but, it was either Mystery, Alaska or The Bad News Bears.
Being that I haven’t been a hockey fan for as long as a lot of Sharks fan, my 33-year-old naive mind maybe missing some things. However knowing that there are a lot of changes that need to be made with the Sharks, I don’t think trading Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau is the answer. I do think that our defense definitely needs some work (size, speed, and true grit) and Nemo needs to find the spirit he had while in Chicago. But I do see the talent and potential of the San Jose Sharks key players to bring the Stanley Cup to San Jose.
Seeing Joe and Patrick hoist The Stanley Cup wearing teal would be the ultimate sight for long time loyal fans to see. Please Mr. Wilson, I know you need to do what is best for the team to obtain the ultimate goal (The Stanley Cup) but letting go of our key players is not the answer.
Where are the Hanson brothers when you need them?
—Nikole Harlan, Gilroy
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