Author Archive
San Jose Sharks’ Offseason Is In a Familiar But Odd Standstill
Posted: 4th July 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
When it comes to making the big move to acquire a necessary talent, San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson has never been shy on pulling the trigger.
During the 2006-07 season, Wilson traded for power forward Bill Guerin at the deadline to bolster what in his mind was a top forward group in need of extra punch.
The following season Wilson traded for puck moving defenseman Brian Campbell because he felt his ...
Manager Bruce Bochy Is Continually Handcuffing the Giants
Posted: 28th June 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
At this point, there should be no need for Giants fans to debate over whether or not Bruce Bochy is a quality big league manager.
Simply said, he isn't one.
Why? Because quality managers put the eight most useful position players on the field day in and day out and place them in the ideal spots in the lineup.
But San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy has done neither in every single game ...
San Jose Sharks: Doug Wilson Makes First Offseason Mistake By Re-Signing Wallin
Posted: 27th June 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
Just two days ago, the San Jose Sharks were executing a perfect offseason plan. They made their first, and most critical, course of action by parting ways with franchise goaltender Evgeni Nabokov.
The move enabled San Jose to have more flexibility in re-signing the rest of their key free agents.
While the decision to not bring Nabokov back wasn't easy, even the biggest Nabokov supporters realize the move was a necessary one under the salary cap.
The Sharks clearly had ...
SF Giants & Madison Bumgarner: Another Reason to Complain About The GM
Posted: 21st June 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
In the world of sports, there are no absolutes. Especially in baseball, absolutes simply don't exist.
Home runs are ruled as ground rule doubles, perfect games are ruined by wrong calls, and strikes are called balls.
Leave the absolutes to the sciences (and vodka, I guess?).
But with baseball? Everything is open for evaluation and change.
Unfortunately, the San Francisco Giants have a personnel team that believes in absolute untouchables.
Or at least they will ...
The San Francisco Giants Have a Deep Lineup…Say Whaaaat?
Posted: 13th June 2010 by Andy Bensch in MLB
Ever since the Giants parted ways with Barry Bonds in 2008, wait check that, ever since the last couple seasons of Bonds's career, the San Francisco Giants simply couldn't score runs.
From 2006-2009, the Giants lived and died with their pitching staff. And prior to 2009, they did nothing but die with their pitching staff because in each of the previous four seasons, San Francisco finished under .500.
But then came 2009, ...
With Rob Blake Set to Retire, Who Will be San Jose’s Next Captain?
Posted: 11th June 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
The San Jose Sharks once again fell short of expectations this past season as they failed to win the Stanley Cup despite finishing first in the Western Conference during the regular season.
And as it turns out, that failure against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals will be the last series that Sharks defenseman Rob Blake will ever play.
The 20-year NHL veteran is reportedly going to announce his retirement ...
San Jose Sharks: Patrick Marleau Has Unfinished Business In San Jose
Posted: 8th June 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
By virtue of being born in the Bay Area the same year that the then expansion San Jose Sharks were born (1991), I have naturally followed the team my entire life.
Granted, my memory of the early years '91-'98 is a bit fuzzy due to being a child. Since I can remember, everything this team does or doesn't do is in correlation with my mood every day of the NHL season.
Naturally, ...
San Jose Sharks: Five Players To Look Forward to Next Season
Posted: 25th May 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
The San Jose Sharks did accomplish something significant in the 2009-10 NHL season.
For what it's worth, they are no longer the biggest choke artists in hockey. That title belongs to the Washington Capitals.
And while that clearly isn't enough for San Jose's fan base to completely rejoice in, the reality is that they did overcome some demons in this postseason.
You don't just beat the Detroit Red Wings in a ...
Chicago-San Jose: Sharks Down 0-2? Time to Throw Blackhawks Some Curveballs
Posted: 20th May 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
Before anyone gets their panties in a bundle, don't worry, I'm not suggesting the Sharks make a switch in goal by replacing Evgeni Nabokov with Thomas Greiss.
That wouldn't be a curveball, that would be more like throwing a knuckle-curve/fork/spit ball without knowing how to throw it.
Point being, that idea (as much as some radicals might suggest it) could easily backfire into a wild pitch that gives Chicago an easy three ...
Dear Sharks Fans: Do Not Embarrass Yourselves by Booing Brian Campbell
Posted: 14th May 2010 by Andy Bensch in NHL
About a week ago I read one of the best hockey pieces ever posted here on bleacher report.
Matt Hutter, the Detroit Red Wings' featured columnist wrote a heart felt piece about his favorite team from an objective standpoint. (You can read his article here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/388749-nhl-playoffs-beating-red-wings-could-yield-finals-appearance-for-sharks).
Matt's piece really drives home the point that a true journalist can indeed be an actual fan of the team they cover. He/She just needs to ...