sundstrom Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Little things lead to big turnover in San Jose -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Al Morganti Special to ESPN.com The San Jose Sharks management team learned a big lesson this season. "What we have learned is that every little thing matters," said San Jose general manager Dean Lombardi on Friday. What little things? General manager Dean Lombardi won't say. But one thing is clear: the Sharks locker room has become just that -- a locker room of sharks. And the general manager has his first chance to clear the bloody water from now until the March 11 trade deadline. Speaking with several members of the Sharks organization, and some who have been associated with it in the past, it appears Lombardi's job is safe. However, so much maneuvering has to be done by San Jose that it is easy to see anybody falling aside. "We haven't been on this side of the trading deadline in the recent past," said Lombardi, who is used to being a buyer, rather than a seller in March. "You have to look at your roster, and figure out is now the best time to do something, or do you wait? "We obviously have some players who will be valuable to teams. I don't have to make any calls, I'm getting plenty of them." For all the problems this season, the Sharks have always made thoughtful and, for the most part, successful moves. Although a recent ranking of prospects makes the future look dim, it should also be noted that the Sharks have already promoted most of their past highly-regarded prospects, and they are now in what should be the benefit period, which makes this season all the harder to swallow. Lombardi is being second- and third-guessed for his hard line stance during contract negotiations with goalie Evgeni Nabokov when the season began, and to a lesser extent defenseman Brad Stuart. "It's pretty clear that teams can have trouble when you have guys not in camp, not there early," said Lombardi. But even at that, there was the quick finger on the button of coach Darryl Sutter. "Things just weren't right, and we could see they were not getting any better," said Lombardi, who then made the curious decision to bring in Ron Wilson -- a motivational coach who had brought the Washington Capitals to the finals in 1998, and also coached Teemu Selanne in Anaheim. But the Sharks locker room is not one that responds well to Wilson's motivational techniques, at least not as it is constituted. And that is why captain Owen Nolan is likely to be a trade-deadline casualty. Reading between the lines, it appears there is an eight-player pool of veterans about whom Lombardi is taking calls for deals. In addition to Nolan, who is of great interest to the Leafs and Flyers, there is also interest in Bryan Marchment, Dan McGillis, Vincent Damphousse, Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton (Ottawa keeps calling), along with Selanne -- who will likely become a target of the New Jersey Devils. Although Nolan's contract is supposed to be a huge hurdle for teams because of a lock-out clause, which ensures he gets paid if there is a work stoppage, a couple of scouts have indicated that the money is not as big an issue as reported. In fact, given Nolan's huge upside -- when he is interested and motivated, as he could be with a contender right now -- he could be the best bet to push a team over the top, far better than Zigmund Palffy or Jarome Iginla. "If you are looking for right now, win it THIS season, I think Nolan could bring that to a team quickly," one scout said. "Remember, if this guy gets cranked up he can just be a dominating player. And being in that Cup race would be the perfect situation." The Sharks would like a player such as injured (knee) young forward Justin Williams from the Flyers for Nolan. So far, that price has been too high. However, Lombardi might be in a unique position of helping an Eastern Conference team with one veteran, thus driving up the price of Nolan for another team. For example, if Thornton goes to Ottawa, or Selanne to New Jersey, will the price become greater for Nolan to the Leafs and Flyers? So, Lombardi will continue to answer the calls, and the only panic will occur if the right moves aren't set in motion over the next few weeks and the caller ID belongs to the club's ownership. I'd like Lou to be the first one in before the price goes up on the other players. I'd hate for Ottawa or Philly to make the first move and then have the price go up on whoever the Devils are looking at. If Williams is currently too high for Nolan, then I'd imagine that Berglund/Gionta/Pick would probably get Owen here, but I honestly think that Selanne is a better fit here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Teemu to New Jersey? That will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Selanne would be the ultimate acquistion (sp?). I still won't believe it until it happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHICO IS GOD Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 I still want Marleau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Marleau over Selanne, el chico? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insanity_gallops Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Remember the speculation of Selanne arriving here over the summer? Selanne'd be nice here, but I don't think he's what we need on the top line with Gomez and Elias... that would be a powerforward with some skill. But if we can land Selanne for not very much, I think it'd be worth the gamble. Not getting my hopes up for this deal though. Like I've said before, I'm done trying to predict what Lou will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Very true, IG. Who knows what goes on in the mind of Lou? But trade speculation sure is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Wasn't Lou trying to get Selanne but couldn't so he got Mogilny? Can't remember, memory fuzzy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 And I know Selanne either has a team option or player option for next season so that means he's a UFA after next year and just in time for the lockout so it kinda works out perfectly. Unlike Nolan with his I Get Paid During Lockout Contract. I bet that will scare Lou off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Nolan has that kind of a contract?! Oh well, forget him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 I don't think so, sammy, I never heard that.. Selanne wasn't available in 2000 anyway. Selanne is a player clearly on the decline. He has had some injury trouble, and what got him the big money are his skates. He is not as fast as he was in 92-93. He is not a very tough player, either. He leads the Sharks in points, but obviously he's still talented. Would he work with Elias and Gomez? Perhaps. If Gomez is on his game, his playmaking abilities should be able to make up for some of the troubles this line will obviously have down low. But this line would make Elias the grinder. Gomez would also have to return to his old form where he was chippy and tough to muscle the puck away from. Brooks mentions him today also. I think the lines would have to be changed if Selanne came to New Jersey. But I don't think he makes all that much sense.. this team has heart, and with Selanne, it would have goal scoring prowess.. but the Devs need someone who can grind it out in the corners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 What grinders are available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJayDevil Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Selanne doesn't have a Cup under his belt right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted February 23, 2003 Author Share Posted February 23, 2003 There's a team opiton on Selanne for next year and the $$ isn't that bad (around $5M). He still has plenty of talent. He's not great on the boards, but he doesn't run from contact either. He's effective on the powerplay as well and if he's gonna upgrade the bicek/gionta/berglund part of our team without costing us a ton, I'm all for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Selanne does not yet have a Cup ring. He might get one with the Devils though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 I'm not too sure about it, but if it won't cost us much to get him, then maybe I'd be more open to it...I remember Lou wanting him before, so it makes sense that Lou would want him now, but I'm still skeptical... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 The only drawback to getting Selanne is that it will cost an arm and a leg. Dean Lombardi (Lou's protege) is unlikely to be ripped off in a trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Lombardi has no choice, there was no market for Selanne in 2001, there will be less of a market now. Considering he got Selanne for Friesen and Shields, and got the Ducks to pay half of Selanne's salary, he cannot expect more than Berglund and a 2nd round pick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted February 23, 2003 Author Share Posted February 23, 2003 What would be a reasonable deal for Selanne that would be agreeable to all of us? For just Teemu, I'd deal 2 of Bicek/Berglund/Gionta and a 2nd rounder. I think that would land him to seeing what the market for players seems to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Very true, Triumph. But desperate teams will pay the Sharks more than he is worth as they get into a bidding war. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundstrom Posted February 23, 2003 Author Share Posted February 23, 2003 HOS- That's why I'm hoping Lou gets in there first before the Sharks start getting picked away and the price goes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Sunny, that's a good thought. Unfortunately, the availability of Selanne is now public knowledge so other GM's will get involved. Plus, there's still plenty of time before the trade deadline for Lombardi to field offers from multiple teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 I do not think there are many teams desperate for Selanne. He hasn't played at an elite level since he was a Duck. He's low on the list of good snipers. Another player playing his way out of town is Peter Bondra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarbingerOfSorrow Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Yeah, but how about on the list of good AVAILABLE snipers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 I'm agreeing with Tri here...It's not like we need the number one man on the list of snipers, so I think it's very plausible that we can acquire Selanne. With that being said, is Selanne still the answer, or is there someone a few knotches down the ladder that we can go after? I'll still go by the idea that if it won't take a lot to get him, then I'm open to it...and at that, I don't think it'll take much to get him right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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