horrific results again

[Mr. T]

Back to being squarely in last place. Losses upon losses are mounting.

However, some players are stepping up a bit. Hoffman being utilized. Granlund came alive, Eklund showing what his game looks like, etc..

Additionally, the team I saw last night looks nothing at all like the beginning of the year. That team looked historically bad. I would go so far as to say the way they played last night was one of their best.

Obviously they don't have the talent to compete against many teams. But they broke out with authority. Players rushing up the ice so the execution has to be there and it was, crisp passes through the neutral zone at speed. Very good stuff.

Hopefully this solidifies into more of an identity. Reportedly Grier wants a heavy physical team, but they just don't have that roster yet, and so I feel the way they played last night was the way to move forward this season.

[tack]

Heavy physical teams don't work all that well anymore unless they can skate very well and fast. The game has gotten too fast to plod around looking for someone to pulverize, and the new rules make it togher to be nasty, too. Speed is essential. Having speed and size is a bonus.

[googz]

I think Zetterlund is also a notable exception. He's young and seems to be getting better despite still having some defensive lapses. i'm not expecting any miracles with Couture's return, but he should provide a needed boost.

Like Tack said, speed is the name of the game these days, but what the Sharks lack, apart from high-end talent, is consistency. Duclair is another one of those semi-talented players that seems to coast or has mental breakdowns during stretches of the game. Hence his relegation to the 4th line.

BTW Chicago placed both Bedard and Foligno on their IR. So hopefully the Sharks continue with their winless ways because Chicago is not going to win any more games for a while