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 With the upcoming West Coast mini-swing, I approached the lovely ladies of Couch Tarts, the resident Bloguin Sharks blog about doing a question and answer session. Here are my questions as well as responses from both Gray and Afro. You can read my responses over at their awesome blog (with sweet artwork to boot!).
1. One of the big offseason stories for your Sharks was Patrick Marleau being stripped of his captaincy. It seems as though this has given him a bit of a spark and he's playing really well so far this year. What's changed for him in your opinion besides wearing the 'C'?
Afro: I never really had a problem with Patty as captain, but seeing how well he's playing, it might've been something that was weighing him down. You also have to realize that he is also on a line with Heatley & Jumbo Joe - if that doesn't give you a spark, I don't know what will.
Gray: Not much! I think he had to lose the 'C' for people to really notice how good he was. before it was easy to just see the letter and place the blame on him for all the team's faults. Now he's just another player on the team, who happens to be really, really good. People are finally starting to figure that out.
2. Standard Issue Sharks Question: What will it take for them to advance deep into the postseason this year?
Afro: I wish I knew (so we could tell them and then win the cup!) I think that the addition of some hard-nosed players will help (Malhotra, Nichol, etc.) along with Heatley. Mentally getting over the last few seasons will be hard for them (and us.)
Gray: Dark magic. Maybe voodoo dolls of the opposing team's goalie. Maybe spike water bottles with ExLax. Any of those are valid options.
3. We all know that Heatley, Jumbo Joe and Marleau are rolling right now, but who is someone we really need to keep an eye on Wednesday night from the San Jose lineup?
Afro: Joe Pavelski seems to have hit his stride after getting over an injury which kept him out for awhile. Jamie McGinn is also a great new young guy who has some speed. Dan Boyle on defense is always consistent and it's always fun watching Douglas Murray hit people...hard.
Gray: If McGinn is playing, I'd keep an eye out for him. He's a rook but he's doing good things and has quickly become a fan favorite.
4. If you could take one player from the Caps roster besides Ovechkin to play in San Jose, who would you choose and why? Along the same lines, if you could send one guy to benefit the Caps' roster the most, who would you send from the Sharks?
Afro: I would take Mike Green. Boyle and the other D has been fine, but it would be nice to have someone scoring with some consistency from the blue line.
Gray: In all honestly I haven't been watching the Caps close enough this year to make a good selection from any of the forwards or defensemen, but I'd gladly nab Varlamov as a back up goalie. Greiss has shown promise this year, but he's still got some weaknesses that make me question his ability to be a starter and really lead the Sharks once Nabby is gone. Varly, on the other hand, could be a great starter.
Not sure who I'd “give” you guys.
5. As it stands right now, how do you expect the West hierarchy to shake out come May? Do the Sharks finally take over down the stretch or does Chicago live up to their hype. Furthermore, what team do you guys fear in the East for a potential Stanley Cup final match up?
Afro: The West is still all over the place with unexpected teams (Kings, Coyotes and the Avalanche) continuing to do well. Hard to say how it will all shake up. I think both Chicago and San Jose will end up at the top- just not sure of the order.
Gray: I don't know. Chicago scares me, but I'm also aware that they are mortal and they could fizzle out before April. I don't see that happening, but I try to keep possibilities like that in mind for all teams. It helps keep you sane. The Kings are dangerous this year. I'd hate to face them or the 'Yotes in the playoffs, especially given our weird inability to figure the 'Yotes out. The Kings will play hard if they make it and they have a good shot.
I fear any team that makes it all the way to the SCF. Any team, East or West, that makes it that far is dangerous. That's a diplomatic answer, but it's also very true.
6. Score prediction for Wednesday's game...run-and-gun shootout or close-knit game between two of the best teams in the league?
Both: Neither of us are good at picking scores. Gray: I'm pretty sure it will be the opposite of whatever I guess, so I'm going to say it will be a run and gun close knit shootout game. Can't go wrong with that one. Unless it's a slow series of traps, in which case we'll all be bored to sleep by the end of the 1st. But hopefully that won't happen.
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