Sharks threaten to leave San Jose unless Google gets offa their damn lawn

Editor’s note: I felt this was relevant to Sharks fans…

access_timeNovember 13, 2020personNeil deMause

In a twist so backwards that I’ve had to double-check it three times before I could get myself to even type it, the San Jose Sharks owners have threatened to move out of town if — hang on, gotta check this one more time … yep, it’s for real — if the city adds new development to the downtown area around their arena:

In an urgent plea to fans for help, the San Jose Sharks on Thursday said the team may be forced out of the city because of big downtown developments near the Diridon train station that threaten access and parking at the SAP Center, where the team plays…

“We definitely do not want to leave,” Jonathan Becher, president of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, said in an interview. “This is our home. This is where we want to be. Leaving is the last resort. But it could come to that if the arena becomes unviable.”

The development at stake is a large mixed-use development that Google plans to build to replace most much (Ed. Note: see comments) of the city’s downtown, adding 65 new buildings hosting 30,000 new Google workers, plus 4,000 units of housing. (Google says the project won’t require any tax or land breaks; most of the public concerns about it have been that it will displace existing residents.) The Sharks owners are concerned about traffic problems during construction and also that Google will be using some parking lots that Sharks fans currently use, as well as eliminating some traffic lanes — there are plans for a BART train extension to Diridon, which would make it easier for fans to arrive from the East Bay by public transit, but that’s not slated to open until 2029 at the earliest.

So it’s understandable that the Sharks owners would be gripey, but moving the team, seriously? In 2015, the team agreed to extend its lease on the city-owned arena through 2040, in exchange for about $100 million in city funding for arena upgrades and rent breaks. A city memo at the time warned that “the team’s success and popularity has cities across America vying to attract the team away from San Jose with promises of new shiny buildings at no cost to the team,” which wasn’t remotely true from what I can tell, even if NHL commissioner Gary Bettman did once threaten that the Sharks could be forced to move if they didn’t get a more lucrative cable deal.

That lease extension was technically only through 2025, though, with a series of 15 one-year renewals to follow. All references to the new lease deal on the San Jose city website now go to a dead link, so it’s tough for me to check what kind of out clauses the team has before 2040, but I’ll give it a shot once folks on the West Coast have woken up today and gone to work walked to their kitchen tables and turned on their laptops.

Even if the Sharks can relocate in 2025, though, doesn’t mean it’s very likely. They have a franchise that is solidly in the middle of the pack in terms of revenue and value, with both on the rise; they have that sweet lease deal pumping more money into the arena for renovations; and they have that BART station about to open just a few years after they could potentially leave, which should make their arena accessible to tons of new fans traveling from the north. San Francisco’s Golden State Warriors arena isn’t configured to accommodate hockey, so that would leave maybe the now-vacant Oakland arena, or … Tulsa?

Way more likely is this is just saber-rattling to get San Jose to throw the Sharks some bones in exchange for putting up with jackhammers at their front door, which is entirely what you’d expect after the team owners were able to get such a sweet deal they last time they made noise about leaving town. It’s probably something city officials should have thought of when they were negotiating that lease extension — if we’re giving them a new lease through 2040, maybe we should make sure they can’t threaten to leave 15 years early if they want to shake us down for more concessions — but nobody ever said city lease negotiators were the sharpest tacks in the drawer.

Me and the Boys out for a skate.

San Jose

Greetings from San Ho, where San Jose has put the HoHoHo back in their season.  Apparently trying to emulate their football equivalent the San Francisco 49ers, the Sharks have ripped off an 11 out of 13 winning streak that shows their early miseries were somewhat of an aberration.

The latest dominating win came against the young, fast and upcoming Arizona Yotes, who are ahead of them in the standings.  Giving up 2 quick goals in the first 5 minutes is NOT a recipe for success, but by scoring 4 unanswered goals, they sent a message that they are not only good, but have righted the ship after an abysmal 4-10-1 start to the season.

With the addition of Hitman D Radim Simek, back from an ACL, and Patrick Marleau returning from the scrap heap, San Jose has regained an elite status, at the very least back in the playoff conversation.  The Sharks at 31 points, currently sit 3rd in the Pacific Division, well within striking distance of Arizona who has 34 and the surprising Connor McDavids (Edmonton Oilers), leading the division with 35 points.

Martin Jones, formerly nicknamed young Swiss cheese by me and other fans, has been very solid in the resurgence, only losing once in his last 11 games.  He has been playing 2016 Martin Jones hockey, when he took the Sharks to the Cup Final.  He still lets in the occasional terrible softie, but face it, the NHL has become a scorers league, with so many highlight reel breakaway chances its a wonder the games aren’t all 7-6.

Then there is the  new Captain Clutch, Logan Couture who is playing out of his mind, with several game winning goals and leading by example.  The Sharks stars, ala EK65, Brent Burns, Evander Kane and Tomas Hertl are all rounding into form.  With a return to a more defensive mindset, their game is fueled by more turnovers and clutch goals.

Run and gun is good, but they aren’t built that way, and frankly thats OK with this blogger and lifetime fan.

With the death of Reilly the Hockey Dog, my output has been but a trickle of whiz, but as time goes on I’m gonna round into form too. Losing that guy, nicknamed the Majestyk was a crushing blow to me and my family.  I hope to regain my somewhat prolific form and reign glorious again, Stanley Cup 2020!

Reilly Sleeping off a Big Day Watching Hockey,,zzz

Rest In Peace sweet prince. You are deeply loved.

San Jose, CA

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write this blog, one I am writing way too soon.  Yesterday was the worst day in my life as I put down Reilly the Hockey Dog.  This year has been a challenge for the both of us, with his medical issues, my retirement and my wife’s illnesses.  Through it all, the one one constant was Reilly and his beautiful demeanor and personality.

Losing your best friend is never easy, and it was very unexpected.  He has been having issues with his mobility, and there were numerous trips to the vet to figure out why he was having trouble walking.  There  were a few instances where he could hardly walk and I was understandably concerned. The message from the vet was the same every time, he has arthritis, and by the way, he is overweight.

He wasn’t overweight, he had a spinal tumor of the worst variety, the type that grows out of the bone and is so invasive it doesn’t respond to radiation.  On the morning of his last Dr appointment to get an MRI, he was weak and haunted looking.  He was dragging his back legs and and was unable to eliminate his waste without great difficulty.  I bathed him and blow dried him so he wouldn’t be cold for his MRI.  Little did I know it would be the end of the line for him

When I took him to the vet I thought he had a disk problem, called IVDD, short for intervertebral disk disease, unfortunately fairly common in dwarf dogs. The condition is called achondroplasia, and is the word used to describe dachshunds, corgis, basset hounds and a few others.

We did the MRI and I was prepared for surgery to correct the disk problem with a long rehab and ultimately, recovery.  Getting him back to normal or at least a semblance of that was what I thought was going to happen.  When I got the news that it was cancer I was devastated.  When the options were explained to me, the most that could be gained was 1-6 months of life.  Surgery, rehab, chemo and pain and suffering to gain a few months with my beloved Corgi Reilly.

While the decision was extremely difficult, I knew what the most humane and loving thing I could do was to put hime to sleep.  They brought him into the room, wrapped in a blanket.  He still had the tube in his mouth from the anesthesia to sedate him for the MRI.  He looked so little and fuzzy, I broke down crying and stroked his fur.  He was in a twilight stage of sedation, where his eyes were half open.  I felt a deep a connection with him and and an even deeper sense of dread and loss.

His fur was soft and clean as I stroked him and sobbed, like I am now.  I kissed him goodbye as they gave him a shot to send him to heaven.  The assistant came in and helped me choose an urn to receive his ashes.  My friend Peter was with me all the way through and comforted me as I lost my shit.

As I’m writing, early in the morning,  I keep looking over where he always lays and he isn’t there.  He will always be in my heart, and my deep love for him comforts me in my grief.  I have to mention my remaining Corgi, Angus who is with me now,  He keeps looking for Reilly too and seems very sad also.  He is also a little angel and I hope we’ll have many more good times together.

Forever Immortal.  Goodnight Sweet Baby Boy,  I love you.

My Beloved Reilly

San Jose, CA

After a very rough start to the season, San Jose played a solid game and beat the Calgary Flames 3-1.  Apparently, Patrick Marleau is the missing piece to the puzzle for the Sharks, because frankly they looked lost against Vegas and Nashville and they’re undefeated since they resigned hm.  They played the Ducks in that horrific stretch of four losses to begin the season, losing 3-1 to an inferior team.

Last night the Sharks scored the first goal in a game for the first time this season on a goal from Timo Time, Timo Meier on a very nice finish to a nifty feed from the Captain, Logan Couture.

Timo Time again! Meier scores the 1st goal in Sunday’s game against the Flames.

It was a very up tempo game, and Martin Jones looked comfortable in net for the first time this season, making 32 of 33 saves to help San Jose win their 2nd in a row.  Kevin Lebanc also got off the Schnied with a wicked wrister to make it 2-0.

In the second, with Calgary on a power play, Tomas Hertl scored a shortie to put the Sharks up 3-1.  They put the clamp down on after that, the Flames were fruitless and futile as they skated to their 3rd loss of the young season.

Cam Talbot, the Flames newest addition to the net played OK, but San Jose parlayed two power play goals into victory, as the home crowd was treated to a win.

Quote of the night: “It was nice to score first for once,” Couture said.

Next up, A Bunch a Jerks the Carolina Hurricanes come to town with their young, exciting buncha jerks.

San Jose,CA

Its Our Year!

Hey now sports fans, welcome to the inaugural blog post for the 2019-2020 season.  0-3.  yes that is the Sharks record after three games, two of them against the Vegas Golden Showers and one against the hated Anahymen Ducks.  BTW, is there a more hideous uniform than the Ducks new sweaters?

I digress, let’s get right to the meat of the situation.  Captain Crosscheck is going to borrow Captain Obvious’s hat and say, man do the Sharks miss their former Captain America, Joe Pavelski.  Pavs now toils for the Dallas Stars down in Big Duh.

They also miss Gustav Nyquist and the DonFather, Jonas Donskoi, both gone to ply their talents elsewhere, Columbus and Colorado respectively.  They took their 100 points with them, Nyquist 60 points and Jonas 37.  Pavelski?  His 38 goals, 64 total points and his ability to magically tip the puck into the net, gone.

Not so fast you say, we still have Couture, Kane, two Karlssons, Timo Time and Father Time Joe Thornton, and Brent Burns right?  All true, but if the first three games are any indication, goal scoring is a problem.  When you take 165 points out of the lineup, the other team can key on the remaining very good players and dare the Sharks to beat you with the AHL heavy lineup they’ve run out there in the early season.

How many times have we heard that “the younger guys will just have to step up”?  A million, it seems to me, one of the oldest cliches in sports. Goaltending is a problem still, with Martin Jones giving up a few softies to fourth line grinders, (Will Carrier of Vegas comes to mind), and then having to play out of his mind to hold it to 4-5 goals.

The defense is an issue, because San Jose got rid of a stalwart D man Justin Braun (for a fuckin draft pick!), Joakim Ryan, another starter and last years dark horse hitting machine, Radim Simek is still recovering from ACL surgery.  They have tried to backfill with a retread, Dalton Prout and a cast of not ready for prime time AHL players that are more suited to, well the AHL.

Pretty grim say you?  Maybe not, but it sure hasn’t felt like the Sharks were really in any of the first three games.  The new NHL has a very small margin for error on turnovers and a high speed transition game that is all the rage in the league. Quite frankly, it appears to be here to stay and the San Jose braintrust better figure out how to be more competitive.

Are you listening Doug Wilson?  Because the trend is loud and clear, ALL teams are going to be young and fast, pounce on rookie mistakes and make you pay.  There is a fine line between gambling in the offensive zone and being able to get back to help your goalie, and getting burned Brent Burns.

OK, now that I’ve bagged heavily on San Jose, its up to them to right the ship turn it around step up blah blah blah.  It doesn’t get any easier as the Sharks travel to Smashville to take on the Preds.

Since there aren’t any highlights yet this year, I’ll leave you with these two, greatest moments from last year.

Barclay Goodrow scores the biggest goal of his career to win Game 7 in OT!

EK’s biggest goal ever!

St Louis, MO

Any fool can see the strategy of the Blues, beat you into submission.  Target the best players and risk a suspension.  That policy has been working since the 1st round, so why change horses midstream?

Yes I know, you say hockey is a contact sport.  It’s a man’s game, man up.  The other team is free to retaliate and those are all valid points.  What I will point out is, that style has to be in your DNA, in your identity.  As the San Jose Sharks found out, they could not compete with the deliberate maiming style of the Blues forecheck.

If your team doesn’t have the same skill set as your opponent, there is a remedy.  Punishing hits, delivered over and over add up.  The star players, the ones the FANS pay to see are rendered ineffective or too injured to play up to their skill level.  The attrition game is one that is well played by teams with less skill.

The sad part is, the NHL seems to want their game to be like the NFL, with video clips of players getting blown up, spitting out teeth, broken jaws and concussions.  Personally, that isn’t why I watch the game.  Yes, I know what you’ll say.  That’s what people want.  I don’t know if that’s really true.  I don’t really have a solution to the trend, the rules committee and the player safety organizations don’t seem to have the answers either.

As the Finals wind down, it is now best 2 out of 3.  St Louis came out last night and hit everything that moved.  To be fair to the Bruins, they withstood the onslaught well and could have stolen the game with a couple of bounces going the other way. However, I am not suggesting that Boston was robbed in any way.

Ryan O’Reilly was the hero last night, scoring 2 goals, including the winner with 10 minutes left in the game, putting in a rebound of a shot by Alex Pietrangelo.  Boston was down their best defensive D man Zdeno Chara, after he took a shot to the face.  He appears to have a broken jaw, deep cuts to his mouth and several chiclets missing.  He returned to the bench in the 3rd period but was unable to skate even one shift.  A six foot nine inch cheerleader.

To be clear, no one on Boston is whining.  They all know what has to be done, all the cliches are in play here.  I’m not going there.  But as a fan of hockey, I’m very disappointed in the way the game has continued to unravel or devolve as it were.  Some say it is because of the mandatory helmet rule, that players now bring their sticks up high with impunity.  Others say it is the reduced role of fighting in the game, that the threat of a sound beating kept most of the shenanigans out of the game.  Now that’s gone the way of the Dodo Bird.

It is a code amongst players that they’ll do ANYTHING to win a Cup.  Never has that been more evident to me than this year, as one highly skilled team after another has fallen by the wayside.  If I wanted to watch the WWF or Raw or whatever that dumbshit is I would.

What happened to my game?

San Jose, CA

From the glory of a Game Three OT win in sackin up fashion, to a heartbreaking loss in Game 4 to …. this?  On a day and time more suited to going to church than playing a Game 5 momentum shifter, San Jose came out with a stinker.  St Louis 5 San Jose 0.

All hands on deck, the San Jose fan base called out, here we go! Unable to contain the Blues 4th line again, Oscar Sundquist scored the game’s first goal.  I know what you’re thinkin, what kinda hockey name is Oscar?  Evidently a pretty good one because the bastard scored again in the 1st period.  That being said, the Sharks were down by one goal, not an insurmountable task..

The 2nd period bugaboo struck again, as the Blues ramped up the physicality and punched the Sharks in the face repeatedly.  The officiating was a challenge for San Jose as the Blues were given two 5 on 3 power plays, scoring on one of them. That, coupled with Vladimir Tarasenko’s, penalty shot on a very egregious takedown, put the Blues up 3-0.

There was still half of a game left, plenty of time for our heroes to rise to the occasion once again to battle back.  But it was not meant to be as one star after another was crushed and injured by the Blues punishing style.  Down goes Pavelski, out for the game.  Down goes Tomas Hertl on a hit that was by the very definition, a 5 minute major penalty.

A minor was called, San Jose lost one of its best players for the game.  The Blues killed it.  Joonas Donskoi took a stick in the face, bleeding profusely and left the game.  Erik Karlsson was a non factor as his cranky groin acted up again, rendering him little better than a pylon.

St Louis played a game reminiscent of their coach, Craig Berube’s Flyer roots.  In homage to the days of yore when the Legion of Doom was at their peak, when no quarter was given on either side, San Jose hung their collective heads and went out into the night, losers in the game of attrition.

Game 6 Tuesday.  Do or die.  Show me what ya got.  Not an irrational hope to win 2 games in a row.  Depending on the wounded, we’ll see if San Jose can rise from the blood and gore to reign triumphant another time.  Remember Game 7 against Vegas? Did we quit when the German’s bombed Pearl Harbor?

Calling all Sharks, it’s time to Sackup.  Game On Fuckers!

St Louis, MO

Good Mornin St Louie!  Please stop whining and breaking sticks over your obvious meltdown.  What a game last night.  You had San Jose right where you wanted em. 4-3, you were controlling the play in the 3rd.  Martin Jones was standing on his head.  You were winning with about a minute left.

Then, who else but Logan Couture, scores the tying goal to send the crowd cryin into their cryin towels.  From Pavelski and Thornton, so calm and collected at the end.  Sure of their mission.  Knowing they are the better team.

But wait, there would be more drama in the OT period as each team traded quality chances.  As the Sharks drove the play deep into the Blues offensive zone, there was a scramble in front of the net.

Timo Meier with the puck, is knocked down.  As he falls, he hits the puck with his glove.  It then caroms off D man Jay Bouwmeester, directly to Gus Nyquist, who passes to Erik Karlsson, who rips it passed Blues goalie Jordan Binnington.  Game over!!!

As the Sharks celebrated, the Blues continued lobbying for the refs to call a hand pass on Timo.  After numerous replays, one can see the puck bounce off of Bouwmeester’s leg.  The rule is that for a hand pass to be called, the puck must go directly to a teammate from the hand of the offending player.

It did not.  It bounced off the opposing player to Nyquist.  Yeah, I get it St Louis, you feel robbed, jobbed  and otherwise screwed.  The hockey gods deemed that the Sharks should win and they seized the day.

In an official statement, the NHL said: “Plays of this nature are not reviewable. A hand pass that goes into the net can be reviewed, but a hand pass between teammates cannot be reviewed.”

A pool reporter caught up with Kay Whitmore, the NHL’s supervisor of officials for the series, and asked whether any of the officials saw the hand pass.

“What [did they tell] me? It’s a non-reviewable play. You can read between the lines. You can figure out what you want. You watched the video. But it’s just non-reviewable. I know that sounds like a cop-out answer, but that’s the truth,” Whitmore said.

Could the NHL’s “War Room” in Toronto have stepped in on a critical goal such as this?

“The way the rules are written, any chance there is to review, everything is reviewed that’s reviewable,” Whitmore said. “But as the rules currently stand, the play is non-reviewable.

“Carpe diem bitches!!

EK’s biggest goal ever!

Sweet victory!

Reilly the Hockey Dog sees another Sharks road win!

Denver, CO

Hey Sharks fans, its a glorious morning to wake up to, and a victory in Game 3 last night makes it even better.  Logan Couture, the Sharks version of Captain Clutch delivered in the 3rd period last night, just when the Sharks seemed to be sliding to a loss.

With San Jose firmly in control, leading 2-0 in the 2nd period the Avalanche began their familiar push to come back. Like most scoring for Colorado, it began with Nathan MacKinnon on one of his patented bursts of speed, he blew by Brent Burns and the defense to score the first goal.

An old friend came back to haunt the Sharks, scoring their second goal, former Shark Matt Nieto, on a deflection from in front to tie the game.  At this point, one can see the need for a hero and Couture did not disappoint as he faked Grubauer out of his jock strap with a nifty short side, well placed forehand shot, off the post and in to regain the lead.

The drama wasn’t over as Couture took a penalty with 3:30 to go in the game, but the PK was up to the task as San Jose weathered the onslaught of the Av power play. As is fitting when a guy has two goals, the Sharks got it to Couture to score into the empty net to complete the Hat Trick!

There were so many post shots for both teams, the Sharks with at least 5 and the Avs with 3, these guys are so amazing.  Martin Jones was solid and has really stabilized his game. Gus Nyquist was also driving the Sharks offense, he’s a keeper.

Paste the link below for a really nice highlight montage from NHL.com.

https://www.nhl.com/video/t-306627776

Shark Head

San Jose,CA

The San Jose Sharks are on an improbable journey, culminating in a Game 7 Victory in Round 1.  As the series unfolded against the VegAss Golden Showers, it became apparent that the Knights were younger, faster, and did I mention younger faster and supremely skilled?  They also have a goalie with three rings.

After Game 4, where they completely dismantled Los Tiburones, the faithful were understandable concerned.  Depressed even.  Outmanned, outgunned and the Knights brand of hockey was punching the Sharks in the face repeatedly. San Jose didn’t have an answer for the Mark Stone Line as they pummeled the Sharks relentlessly, seemingly scoring at will.

On to Game 5, back at home, San Jose scored first, and then kept scoring.  Playing perhaps their most complete game, they won 5-2.  Back to VegAss (smells like Ass in here), the Sharks scored first again, only to have the Knights tie it and there it stayed.  1-1 for all of regulation as the Golden Showers threw everything they had at the tired and beat up San Jose team.

Amazingly, the Sharks prevailed in the 2nd OT, 2-1 on a shorty by Tomas Hertl the Ninja Turtle.  Martin Jones was playing like another Marty from years past, as in Marty Brodeur the Hall of Fame goalie.  58 saves on 59 shots to lead the Sharks back to the Tank for the deciding Game 7.

So Game 7 begins with about a 10 minute push by San Ho, three power plays and nothing on the scoreboard.  The Knights scored first, ending the 1st period leading 1-0.  On to the second, where Cody (I’m fearing for my life!) Eakins scored to make it 2-0.  In spite of many high danger chances (the new term for scoring opportunities), San Jose headed to the 3rd period down by two, and Marc Andre Fleury was playing out of his mind.

The Shirts:  everyone brought a lucky shirt but inexplicably we weren’t wearing them because it was so hot.  As I realized I needed to do something fast to help my team, it occurred to me to say, PUT THEM ON! We did!!  Then this happened…..

The faces of my friends and I grew longer with each passing minute as VegAss continued to pour it on, with no hope as Flower completely stymied San Jose.  Then at the 10 minute mark, the unthinkable happened.  An innocent looking faceoff, a couple of cross checks from Eakins and Paul Stastny, and down went Capn America, Joe Pavelski.  A hush fell over the crowd as he lay on the ice, not moving.

The Sharks players stood around angry and helplessly as The Big Pavelski was helped to his feet by 4 players and the training staff, and headed to the locker room.  The refs huddled, and handed out a 5 minute major penalty to Cody (I’m in fear for my life!) Eakins.  For the uninitiated, that means the team with the power play can score as many as they can for 5 minutes.

What happened next was truly Karmic in nature and awesome for Sharks fans.  They scored their 1st goal in 49 seconds to cut the deficit to 3-1.  They scored again to make it 3-2.  Logan Couture scored to tie the game and bedlam ensued.  But wait, they still had 2 more minutes!  Kevin Labanc drove the net and scored from the slot to bring down the house and give San Jose the lead.

There was still almost 6 minutes still left in the game, yet the Sharks had scored FOUR GOALS in 4 minutes to take the lead.  VegAss came back with a vengeance.  For the next 5 minutes the Sharks were unable to clear the puck from their zone and with 47 seconds left the Golden Showers tied the game, knotting the score at 4.

On to OT, with most players out of gas, leaden legs and burning lungs, the Sharks put on career 4th liner Barclay Goodrow.  A good player, but he only had one shift in the overtime period.  Erik Karlsson hit him with a nice pass, he dangled around the D man with a power move and slipped it passed Fleury to win the game and cement his place in Sharks history.

What more can I say? Bring on the Avalanche, thats what!!

Barclay Goodrow scores the biggest goal of his career to win the game in OT!