[When it comes time to talk San Jose Sharks hockey, it’s time to Jump the Shark(ie). A column based on my thoughts, observations, and commentary on my favorite NHL franchise - and named in homage to one really crappy episode of Happy Days that more or less, signified the coming of the end ]

First… The Stats
Okay, surprise? No, not really. Mostly common sense. After finishing 6th last season in goals scored, the Sharks offense is struggling to score goals, and therefore the team has yielded the top spot in the conference to Dallas… freakin’ Dallas. To me, its because the bubble has burst. Last year, the Sharks were 21st in shots on goal; yet managed to finish 6th in goals scored. Well, funny thing happened: the Sharks are still one of the worst teams in the league in terms of putting the puck on net, and their goals scored is starting to reflect that. The Sharks are 20th in the league in shots on goal per game, and 18th in goals per game. Going back two years, the team’s shots were good enough to be 10th in the league, and I think the bottom is falling out this year instead of last year because last season the team was unstoppable on the power play; at least until the playoffs. Nope, it looks to me like the team is figuring out the harsh reality that if you don’t shoot the puck, you can’t score.

As long as I have been a fan of the team (which is as long as the team has been in existence), one of their major issues has been that every player wanting to make the perfect pass - which then means either holding onto the puck too long, or passing when a shot should be taken. Basically, everyone want to be Joe Thornton. Only problem is that they just simply aren’t talented enough to do the things he does. Joe just needs some players willing to stop thinking and start shooting the puck. Until the team starts putting the puck on net more frequently, goals are going to be hard to come by and this offensive slump is going to continue.

Trade Winds Are Blowing
Trade winds are always blowing… but this was a strange one I’d never seen before. The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the Sharks and Canadiens are in talks that would send Saku Koivu and Michael Ryder to San Jose for some kind of combination of Marleau, Bernier, and Pavelski. The Marleau rumors continue even into the season, but I will say this Sharks fans: this trade does have some merit. Let’s say the Sharks give Marleau and Bernier for Koivu and Ryder. Ryder is second on the Canadiens in shots per game, so to link to the previous topic, Ryder might help shift the mentality of the offense back to taking the shots and letting guys like Thornton and Koivu make the passes.

Furthermore, no matter who they have centering the second line, they become expendable based on the fact that two of the Sharks top five prospects play center (Logan Couture and Torrey Mitchell). If you think that means nothing, how about the fact that GM Doug Wilson traded up… twice in the draft to get Couture? You don’t do that for a third line center. I expect they want this guy centering the second line by the second half of the 2008-09 season, and that means Marleau needs to be gone before the start of next year to make way for the best performer of Couture and Mitchell. In addition, if the Sharks don’t move Marleau before his contract extension kicks in, then a no-trade clause also kicks in and they can’t get rid of him unless he waives the clause. That means that unless Marleau is dealt, the Sharks don’t have an opening in their top two lines for Couture/ Mitchell until the end of the 2009-10 season. If they make a move and get Koivu, they are only locked up through 2008-09.

So Marleau fans: sorry, but your boy’s days in teal are numbered. Personally, I’d like to see the Sharks bring over Higgins in a deal with Montrael, but it would be interesting to see San Jose’s power play with Thornton and Koivu together. Also known though is that Calgary was rumored to have been after Marleau in the past month and yet, no trade.

Take it all with a grain of salt folks; but don’t be shocked if Marleau goes by February 26th.