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Post by carolinasharksfan on Dec 13, 2020 14:09:40 GMT -8
It isn't official, but if this is the way things will be set up, the Sharks' playoff hopes likely were just dealt a crushing blow. As the NHL gets closer to finalizing all of the specifics about the upcoming 2021 season, more details are emerging. The league has long been rumored to be considering a division realignment for 2021, in order to deal with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. And more specifically, how to deal with the seven Canadian teams, considering the inherent issues of international travel. The NHL held a Board of Governors call Wednesday, and the league currently is favoring an alignment that includes an all-Canadian division, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Unfortunately for the Sharks, the realignment likely would make their own division considerably tougher. If the proposed realignment is finalized, that would mean the Sharks' division essentially swapped the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks for the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. Yikes. For those that need a refresher, the Blues, Avalanche and Stars finished first, second and third in the Central Division last season, which arguably was the toughest division in the entire league. St. Louis finished with the most points in the Western Conference. Colorado was only two points back, and was an overtime loss away from advancing to the Conference finals. The Stars, who beat the Avs in that thrilling seven-game playoff series, made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. creation of an all-Canadian division would all but seem to confirm the NHL's intent on playing a solely intra-division schedule in 2021, meaning teams would only play the others in their own division. If that's the case, the Sharks likely will be playing half of their games against what are probably the four best teams in the West; remember, the Vegas Golden Knights aren't going anywhere, and they arguably got better this offseason. And that's not even the end of it. The other three teams in the Sharks' proposed division -- the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes -- could all be on the upswing, not to mention the in-state rivalry with the former two. Really, on paper, there isn't a team in the Sharks' division that you could say they're certainly superior to. RELATED: Oakland, Vegas could be Sharks' home to start '21 NHL season The Sharks already were going to be challenged to qualify for the playoffs under the previous division alignment. But now, in what can only be described as the "Group of Doom," their playoff pursuit might already be over before it started. San Jose could surprise, sure, but another down season appears far more likely. The good news is, this time, the Sharks possess their own first-round pick, and the top of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is expected to hold some elite talent. Did you say “Sharks and playoffs”...this isn’t the humor thread  |
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Post by carolinasharksfan on Dec 13, 2020 14:13:17 GMT -8
I'm fairly certain we will quickly tire of hearing about the Canadian Division (or whatever the NHL calls it), especially with all the fawning it's likely to earn from north of the border. None of those teams is overly impressive and that includes the Maple Leafs, who might be the favorite to win the division but don't figure to have a long shelf life in the playoffs. The Leafs aren't Cup contenders right now. You can't be considered one when you haven't even won a first-round playoff series since 2004. -Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News Pretty ballsy statement coming from Buffalo... |
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Post by jackalope on Dec 13, 2020 15:21:36 GMT -8
I'm fairly certain we will quickly tire of hearing about the Canadian Division (or whatever the NHL calls it), especially with all the fawning it's likely to earn from north of the border. None of those teams is overly impressive and that includes the Maple Leafs, who might be the favorite to win the division but don't figure to have a long shelf life in the playoffs. The Leafs aren't Cup contenders right now. You can't be considered one when you haven't even won a first-round playoff series since 2004. -Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News Pretty ballsy statement coming from Buffalo... I actually lol'ed. Mike Harrington is not entirely wrong. But no part of your return is wrong! All things aside, this will be a pretty big "show me" season for both of those clubs after the retooling they have done. We will see if any of it actually pays off. |
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Post by danvilleshark on Dec 15, 2020 12:06:18 GMT -8
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Post by danvilleshark on Dec 15, 2020 12:26:10 GMT -8
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Post by danvilleshark on Dec 15, 2020 12:28:11 GMT -8
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 15, 2020 13:21:44 GMT -8
The San Jose Sharks have unveiled new Heritage jerseys for their 30th anniversary season.  |
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Post by HOOCH2173 on Dec 15, 2020 15:00:00 GMT -8
The San Jose Sharks have unveiled new Heritage jerseys for their 30th anniversary season. Actually Digging the Patch which I hope they put it on the damn jerseys for sale to the public!  |
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Post by John96 on Dec 15, 2020 19:25:55 GMT -8
Should bring back the original whites too.
And as an aside it just shows what a big miss the Reverse Retro jerseys are. The NHL should have certain nights where teams played in the jerseys of a certain era; like the Sharks, Kings, and Ducks in their 90’s uniforms or teams like the Blues, Jets, Canucks in their 80’s gear. Heck you could even put the Wild, Jackets, and Predators in their original sweaters for a 00’s night or have Dallas, Colorado, and Carolina where the old North Stars, Nords, and Whalers jerseys.
To me that makes a whole lot more sense, makes for way more interest, is easily marketable to young and old fans, and looks a lot better.
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 15, 2020 19:40:30 GMT -8
Should bring back the original whites too. And as an aside it just shows what a big miss the Reverse Retro jerseys are. The NHL should have certain nights where teams played in the jerseys of a certain era; like the Sharks, Kings, and Ducks in their 90’s uniforms or teams like the Blues, Jets, Canucks in their 80’s gear. Heck you could even put the Wild, Jackets, and Predators in their original sweaters for a 00’s night or have Dallas, Colorado, and Carolina where the old North Stars, Nords, and Whalers jerseys. To me that makes a whole lot more sense, makes for way more interest, is easily marketable to young and old fans, and looks a lot better. The NHL marketing dept should offer you a job because they're a disaster right now |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 16, 2020 10:13:37 GMT -8
The beach is open?
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 16, 2020 11:18:38 GMT -8
Jaime Baker resigns from the Sharks broadcast  |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 16, 2020 16:20:58 GMT -8
Sharkie is everywhere  |
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Post by mk391419 on Dec 16, 2020 18:36:46 GMT -8
Why don't they just release all the sweaters from the Sharks history? They should have re-released the late 1990s sweaters for the thirtieth. And then the 2008 sweaters for the fortieth. One of my all time favorites is the 2004 era third sweaters. Sigh. |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 16, 2020 18:41:08 GMT -8
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 16, 2020 18:42:57 GMT -8
What the hell is Teal Together.
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 11:25:55 GMT -8
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 11:28:52 GMT -8
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 11:45:18 GMT -8
December 16, 2020 – For the first time ever, NHL Network™ will air every game live of the IIHF World Junior Championship beginning on Friday, December 25 from Edmonton, Alberta. As the exclusive U.S. TV home of the 2021 tournament, NHL Network’s extensive coverage will include telecasts of Team USA’s games, plus comprehensive previews, highlights, analysis and interviews on NHL Tonight™ and via @nhlnetwork on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Leading up to December 25, NHL Network will air every exhibition game of the tournament beginning on Sunday, December 20 with Team USA skating against Team Switzerland live at 6:00 p.m. ET.
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 13:05:27 GMT -8
from Mark J. Burns of SportsBusiness Jorunal,
The NHL’s Board of Governors could approve helmet ads for the '20-21 season as early as today, sources tell SBJ. These people said it’s “likely” that the asset will be approved. A Board of Governors call is scheduled for today.
Sources said that the helmet ads for the upcoming season are primarily designed as a make good for naming rights sponsors and founding-level type partners, subject to league approval. The sticker placement of sponsors would be located on both sides of a player’s helmet, sources said, and only one brand would be allowed at a time on the helmet.
Sources said that teams will likely have the option of selecting one brand for all home games and one brand for all away games, but they won’t be able to swap different sponsors throughout the season. It’s currently unclear what the exact size of the sponsor stickers will look like.
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 15:16:21 GMT -8
This depresses me
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Post by cjelli on Dec 17, 2020 17:27:07 GMT -8
Where are all these Leafs' jerseys they were so energetically modelling just a year and a half ago? |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 17, 2020 18:48:25 GMT -8
Where are all these Leafs' jerseys they were so energetically modelling just a year and a half ago? Either in the closet or burned in the backyard during a summer night after patrick's new contract |
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Post by coachjules on Dec 17, 2020 19:15:44 GMT -8
Where are all these Leafs' jerseys they were so energetically modelling just a year and a half ago? Either in the closet or burned in the backyard during a summer night after patrick's new contract Sold 'em to Joe |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 18, 2020 12:27:00 GMT -8
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday hinted at what may be in store in the coming weeks for the San Jose Sharks — and it involves spending a lot of time away from the South Bay.
“We have a couple of clubs that can’t hold training camp or conduct games even without fans in their current buildings and facilities, and we’re going to have to move them somewhere else to play,” said Bettman, who was appearing via video at a panel discussion held at the World Hockey Forum in Moscow.
The NHL is still looking at starting the regular season in mid-January, Bettman said. The 24 teams that were part of the NHL’s postseason earlier this year would reportedly each have a 10-day training camp. The seven teams that did not practice or play, like the Sharks, would be able to start their training camp a few days beforehand, although nothing has been finalized by the NHL or the Players’ Association.
Right now, though, if Santa Clara County’s ban on contact sports and the mandatory 10-day quarantine for returning travelers from more than 150 miles away remained in effect into January, the Sharks would not be able to hold training camp in San Jose or even start the season at SAP Center. The county’s restrictions are now in effect until at least Dec. 21.
If enough teams can’t play at home in front of spectators, Bettman said the league and the union are also discussing whether to group teams within their realigned divisions in hub cities around North America. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that Las Vegas could be an option as a hub city for a division that would include the three California teams, Arizona, Colorado and two other still-to-be-determined teams.
“If enough teams can’t play, again, without fans, in their own facilities, then we may have to move more and more towards a hub,” Bettman said. “It may be that some teams are playing in other buildings. It may be that a whole group of teams have to play in other buildings.
“One of the things that we’re doing for the regular season, as we’re planning it, is we’re going to just play within our divisions, so we’re not going to play every team against everybody else in the course of a season.”
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 18, 2020 17:47:26 GMT -8
Finally some action from the Hockey bosses
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Post by John96 on Dec 19, 2020 8:54:41 GMT -8
How funny is it that Canadian government(s) is the biggest roadblock in getting hockey back?
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Post by John96 on Dec 20, 2020 10:36:21 GMT -8
Would anyone even miss the Canadian teams if we played the season without them?
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 20, 2020 11:37:53 GMT -8
Would anyone even miss the Canadian teams if we played the season without them? I heard the Canadian teams might be moved to the US if the Canadian govt doesn't loosen up some of their covid restrictions |
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Post by Fugazi on Dec 20, 2020 12:53:42 GMT -8
via NHL/NHLPA press release, The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL) announced today an agreement to play a 2020-21 regular-season schedule of 56 games beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, and concluding on May 8. As part of the agreement, the Stanley Cup Playoffs would feature 16 teams in the traditional best-of-seven, four-round format and conclude around mid-July with the plan of returning to a “normal” hockey calendar for the 2021-22 season (regular season beginning in October). The NHL and NHLPA will release the Health and Safety Protocols, transition rules and critical dates calendar as well as the 2020-21 schedule in the coming days.... In reaching agreement on the format for the 2020-21 season, the NHL and NHLPA determined that the ongoing closure of the U.S.-Canada border required realignment and the League and the Players also sought to minimize team travel as much as possible by shifting to exclusively intradivisional play. It is the current plan to play games in the home arenas of participating teams while understanding that most arenas will not, at least in the initial part of the season, be able to host fans. However, depending on prevailing conditions both in local markets and across North America, the League will be prepared to play games in one or more “neutral site” venues per division should it become necessary. For the 2020-21 season, teams will be re-aligned as follows:  |
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