Off topic: Sharks Acquire Joe Thornton

by noava22 on Nov 30, 2005 7:25 PM PST Comment 51 comments

Sharks traded with the Boston Bruins and got Joe Thornton for Wayne Primeau, Brad Stuart and Marco Sturm. Pretty big deal if you ask me...Sharks doing something to try and save their season. Pick up a franchise player for what seems to be spare parts. VIVA LOS TIBURONES...BRING LORD STANLEY HOME TO THE BAY!!!

sorry for the caps and the off topicness of this topic

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So...?

So, who is this prized Joe Thornton and how good is he? I kinda lost interest in hockey after the strike and never really got back into it. Wanna fill in the details?

by OaklandDynasty on Nov 30, 2005 7:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Basically...

the Sharks had a very young, promising team, that has not been producing, the Sharks traded 2 life long, good Sharks (Sturm & Stuart) along with Primeau for a Superstar player which they had cap room to aquire...

This is a f*ing A trade for the Sharks...

ChunkyLover53

by OaklandInvader on Nov 30, 2005 7:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I remember...

Sturm and Stuart, but it sounds like the sharks did something good for the team, even though it cost them cap room. Could this be a sign that the A's will do something big?!?! Probally not, I'm just getting overegear with the A's signing Loliaza. Wooh, this is going to be a fun year.

by OaklandDynasty on Nov 30, 2005 7:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Blez,

You happy to see Super Joe out of the Eastern Confrence?

Granted the Bruins are at the bottom of the barrel, as are the Sharks?

ChunkyLover53

by OaklandInvader on Nov 30, 2005 8:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I like it

I've been wishing there were a sharks nation to discuss the sharks in. I'm happy to see someone bring this up here.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2242875

The Sharks have been struggling mightily after an exciting run of come from behind and late game wins. I read a statistic that the Sharks hadn't won a game in regulation in 15 or 20 games. So getting to the trade, Joe Thornton is one of the best power forwards in the game. He's a big guy with a lot of skill. On the season he has 33 points and the point total of the 3 Sharks traded only amounts to 36. So talking point totals only this looks like a good trade for the Sharks. Losing Brad Stuart may hurt the team some, he's one of the most solid defensemen on the Sharks and has been a captain in the past and Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau are very fast skaters that should thrive in the new NHL but haven't quite produced as much as expected. I'm excited to see big Joe Thornton in a Shark's sweater, he's only 26 and already had 8 years experience.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Nov 30, 2005 8:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

this is a cross-post.

And to get Thornton, you had to give up Sturm. Primeau expendable = yes.

I honestly don't follow the Sharks closely (I follow the Canucks and Flames from a long distance away, and you probably need a telescope to see the Sharks) but I don't understand what other defenceman they would put in place of Stuart now. You've got to think that whoever they're gunna call up is not as good as Stuart, but I may be wrong. Don't really know enough about the team to say that.
But Thornton is defintely a good pickup for a team needing some offence.

Stupid trade for Boston anyway you analyze it.

Don't tell the Raiders, either. Just leave Mt Davis at the site, with a note: "We believe this is yours, Al. Enjoy! - AN" - calgbear

by Jjjsixsix on Nov 30, 2005 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

by the way,

learned that the "call-up" would be Fahey, just from the nightly healthy scratches list.

Don't tell the Raiders, either. Just leave Mt Davis at the site, with a note: "We believe this is yours, Al. Enjoy! - AN" - calgbear

by Jjjsixsix on Nov 30, 2005 8:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

D-Men

All season the Sharks have been rotating Davison, Preissing, Erhoff, Fahey, with Stuart, McLaren, and Hannan being the mainstays. So they will likely call up a defenseman from Cleveland so they have a seventh defenseman to rotate in. I expect to see Preissing taking much of Stuart's ice time and the rest of the guys filling out the final 3 spots. Out of the remaining 3 I was least fond of Erhoff but I realize that you can rarely have 6 really solid defenseman. The loss of Stuart will hurt some but the addition of Thornton should help the offense a lot. I'm a little curious where Thornton fits in though, Patrick Marleau has been far and away the Sharks best player, their captain, and their first line center, and with Thornton being a top line center with the Bruins the lineup may have to be shuffled a little. Big Joe slightly better on faceoffs than Marleau so I would expect to see Thornton taking the draw a lot. Thornton appears to be a terrific passer based on his assist total of 24 already so whoever ends up on his wings should see some increased scoring. Hopefully someone like Nils Ekman, Milan Michalek or Niko Dimitrakos can benefit.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Nov 30, 2005 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You think...

Wilson will trade for another D-man?

by Jjjsixsix on Dec 2, 2005 12:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Possibly

I think he'll see how the club is doing with Thornton first. Offense has been a big part of the early struggles. They're not scoring early and their special teams is awful. If they can sort out the problems they've had on the power play and in killing penalties they should be alright with what they've got. But if the defense starts to struggle Wilson will go out there and see what he can get as far as defense goes. The Sharks are rich in goalies right now with Nabokov the started and Vesa Toskala and Nolan Schaefer both more than adequate back ups they can trade either Schaefer or Toskala, my bet is Toskala for the missing piece they need.

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Dec 2, 2005 1:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ditto cross post

its actually a pretty good deal for both teams. Im excited about Thornton, former number #1 pick overall and has posted a 36 goal season not too long ago. He was Bostons franchise player.

The sharks lose Marco Sturm who was my favorite player on the team, solid player and plays LW, not too many great LW in the NHL. Im glad to see Stuart gone, he has been awful this year and has never lived up to his potential. Primeau is decent, but expendable for sure.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Nov 30, 2005 8:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

the more i think about it

im REALLY stoked about Thornton. I didnt realize he was that young. 26?

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Nov 30, 2005 8:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was trying to think of a way to put this in...

A's terms, but this is more like the Warriors trade for Davis last yr.

(BTW, I am too a bit concerned about the defense), but we are deep with "minor league" talent there...

ChunkyLover53

by OaklandInvader on Nov 30, 2005 9:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

D

Hannan and Mclaren are just gonna have to pickup more minutes and they will have to play Fahey, who kinda blows. Stuart has never played good defense anyway, hes an offensive minded defensemen. The new rules seem to have really changed the way these guys play defense since they cant just push people around anymore.

Its really all about offense now.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Nov 30, 2005 9:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who are the Sharks?

Are they like a Venezualan Winter League team or something?

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Nov 30, 2005 9:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I hope..

you're kidding.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Nov 30, 2005 9:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I wish they were

Hockey's the absolute worst. It's not even the best sport on ice. I'd rather watch curling.

by RunRickeyRun on Dec 1, 2005 2:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, it's hockey ...

I thought that league got contraracted ...

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Dec 1, 2005 2:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

man..

sturm was my FAVORITE PLAYER.
And I hate Joe Thornton.
Damn.
But.. oh well.

YABU: You're always eating cheese. ...Is cheese good for you? . FISCHER: IT'S BETTER THAN SUSHI!!!

by ConditionOakland on Nov 30, 2005 9:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great pick up for Sharkies IF...

....they don't expect Thronton to be a leader. Boston fans must be shaking their noggin's on this one...but they're probably use to this type of thing.

Plus, good news for my Leafs team!

by bigelephant on Dec 1, 2005 10:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

They won't

Patty Marleau has really matured this year and has become they're leader, best player, leading scorer and they've got him leading the power play.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Dec 1, 2005 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also always happy for some Sharks talk.

The early take here in Boston is that, instead of firing O'Connell or Sullivan, this trade amounts to a "firing" of Thornton. It sure looks like a panic move to me.

by ArakSOT on Dec 1, 2005 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree on the Panic Move...

This move looks great for the Sharks. I have no idea what Boston was thinking. Let's hope this puts the Sharks over the hump. I'd love to see the Sharks, Warriors and A's all make the playoffs within the same year (2006). Too bad the Raiders couldn't be a good team this year too.

"Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody is watching....." - KW

by PosterNutbag44 on Dec 1, 2005 11:59 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

How bad is this?

I love the Bruins, even more than the A's (sorry). I can see why this was done. I've accepted it and such. I just want to know what I am getting here. Tell me about Sturm, Stuart and primeau. Thanks.

Now where my duct tape? I have work to do on my Thornton jersey...

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 12:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Tough break

I've been wondering when we'd hear from you about this. Hopefully Zito isn't your favorite A's player. Two favorite players traded in a week or so would be quite a shock.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Dec 1, 2005 2:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hmm actually

I've grown to like this trade for both sides. Zito is not my favorite A's player, Joe Blanton is. My full thoughts on the trade will posted later.

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Although

It would be fitting, in a cross-sports kind of way, if Zito were then traded for Boston. I'm sure they could give us a package that'd work.

by kirbyk on Dec 1, 2005 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I always liked Joe Thorton

Just cause he's Scotts cousin, always thought it would be cool for them to play togther. Wow, i'm really excited, i hope this turns it all around. He's an amazing layer....

RIP Bill King "By the Beard of Zeus!" "I don't know if you heard me counting. I did over a thousand"

by ohad on Dec 1, 2005 1:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The State of The Bruins

After getting over the initial shock I have begun to like this trade. I think of it like this: Thornton is a "A" player. Stuart and Sturm are both "B-B+" players. Primeau is a "C-C+" player. This means the Bruins are more solid and balenced. They are closer to being a complete team. Instead relying on just one or two lines, the team might play as a cohesive four line unit. Also the addition the Stuart immediately solidifies a porus defense. The lines should look as follows:

Samsonov-Zhamnov-Murray (Top scoring line)

Sturm-Bergeron-Isbister (Second scoring line)

Axelsson-Boyes-Fitzgerald (Checking line that can chip in a few goals)

Primeau-Green-Nickalus (Grind line)

Leetch-Stuart (Two Balenced D-men)

Boynton-Slegr (Two Balenced D-men)

Tanabe-Gill (Attacking defensman and stay at home defenseman)

Hannu should start in goal instead of Raycroft. Then all that needs to be done is t get rid of Hal "Worlds Biggest Traffic Cone" Gill and everything is fine and dandy.

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 3:25 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Pic of Hal Gill

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 3:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Grades

I'd tweak your grades ever-so-slightly: Stuart is currently a B/B+ with the natural talent to be an A defenseman. Sturm is a B. Primeau a C at his best. Stuart is the key to the trade for the Bruins. If he steps up to be the player he's capable of, it will be a good trade for Boston.

by peanut gallery on Dec 1, 2005 3:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

its a good trade for both

but dont expect great defense or solid blue line play from stuart. They even had to put Marleau at the point on the PP because Stuart frankly cannot pass for shit or hold the zone. Hes a bum.

The Bruins have some great players, and I like Bergeron and Sturm two speedsters on the same line together. Sturm is a damn good player, he will do well over there.

I dont understand how Boston blames Thornton for the teams situation, hes leading the team in points. Boston is always a city that loves to talk about how players dont have 'heart' and 'fire' crap like that.

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Dec 1, 2005 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well what i think happened is this

Everyone (team, fans, media) expected Joe to be abvle to carry the team. Everyone relaxes because they think, Joe will make up for it. Well he can't and didn't. It seems that everyone sat arround waiting for Joe to push them from behind, its not really a fair expectation, but it is what it is. Now that he's traded the team won't be able to use Joe as a "crutch" in a way. they will work harder since there is no marquee guy to rely on. Or at least thats the idea, I think.

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 4:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade Thoughts

Well, basically the Sharks traded a very talented defenseman who is having an off-year so far, a slightly overrated winger and a spare part for a top of the line center. Sounds pretty good to me.

Stuart is easily the most skilled of the three ex-Sharks, but his game just hasn't been the same since a concussion last season (03-04). Still, if he can put it back together, he's a legit top-2 defenseman with great offensive skill.

Sturm seems like he is always on the verge of becoming a topline wing, but just never quite does so. He's plenty fast, but doesn't have quite the skill to really be one of the best. With him, what you see is what you get: a nice little second line player.

Primeau is a throw-in. Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

As far as Thornton, I have to think he'll do well with the Sharks. He's a laid back sort and already has several friends and family (Scott) on the team, so I think he'll enjoy a smooth transition. Plus, he'll hopefully play with a chip on his shoulder. If nothing else, he should electrify the power play, which has been mostly anemic lately.

by peanut gallery on Dec 1, 2005 3:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Tiburons

I picked this season to go to a sharks gm thinking there would be lots of seats available due to the lockout, but a friend told me that the tank's been selling out. Is this true?

by sf drift king on Dec 1, 2005 5:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's true

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?sort=home_capacity_avg&year=2006

The Shark Tank has been filled to 99.2% capacity through 9 games. Attendance numbers have been sky high all season which comes as quite a surprise after the lockout.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Dec 1, 2005 5:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

true

and the tickets don't seem to be much cheaper either

death to myspace!

by malikot on Dec 2, 2005 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

First game after Joe

Bruins beat the best team in the NHL, Ottawa, 3-0.
:)

I <3 Sturm.

MARCO!

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 1, 2005 6:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

hehe...of course

Sturm and Bergeron, gonna be great together.

Now if only Joe can repeat tommorow night!

Bill Stoneman is about to be offered three seasons of a right-handed version of Vladimir Guerrero - Rev Halofan

by pickinmachine on Dec 1, 2005 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Needed to be done

I am also a huge Bruins and A's fan.

The team was very poorly put together by GM Mike O'Connell. On paper at the start of the season they had very good forwards and goaltending but a very weak defence. Their have been a lot of key injuries and the forwards and goaltending has underperformed, but by far the biggest problem was the awful awful defence.

They basically started the year with three unheralded rookie defencemen. What cup contending team, and that's what they were billed as, does that??? In addition they let their best defencemen, Nick Boynton hold out over a few hundred thousand dollars. Hal Gill was decent before but is far to slow and immobile to play with new rules and emphasis on speed. The rookies and Gill were overwhelmed and once Brian Leetch went down in went from bad to awful. Boynton came back but with no training camp and no season last year is just now starting to play half decent.

Basically, they were a slow team, in a skating league, with very poor and inexperienced defence. O'connell has now begun to fix that. The four players he has acquired in the two recent trades (Tanabe for Scatchard) all can skate well and two are defencemen. The three rookie D all sat out tonight.

O'Connell created a very flawed team which was only getting worse (not a panic just reality) and unfortunately could only stop the bleeding by trading a very valuable asset in Thorton. The trade needed to be done (I thought Stuart played great tonight) but will hurt them in the long term. Good move by the Sharks.

The other hidden benefit in this is that the Bruins saved 1.5 million dollars in salary. Also the 3 guys coming in are only signed through next year whereas Thorton just signed a 3-year deal. So the Bruins gain salary cap space and future financial flexibility. Hopefully, they will use this wisely at some point.

PS
I live in Ottawa so tonight's 3-0 win over the previously 19-3 and highest scoring team in the league Senators is extra sweet.

by Larry E on Dec 1, 2005 7:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Also

Next year, Joe's no-trade clause kicked in.

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 2, 2005 4:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

One Friend to another...

Friends don't let freinds watch hockey.

2nd favorite team: WHOEVER IS PLAYING THE GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ConcordFanSince1968 on Dec 2, 2005 7:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bollocks

Hockey is a great sport to watch, and it's even more fun when you have a team that you root for. The same type of people that say baseball is too boring are the people that say hockey is too hard to watch and whine that they can't follow the puck.
(By the way I'm under the impression that you're joking, but I'm just making my statement.)

Green eyes come from yellow flecks of fatty pigment on a dark background. Some men think a green-eyed woman is exotic. The truth is she's got fat eyes.

by Furious George on Dec 2, 2005 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You know

the attacks on hockey in this diary are completely unnecessary. We like hockey and you don't, good for you, now leave us alone.

I <3 Macha. I trust Beane. Blanton isn't fat. Go A's.

by pbruins92 on Dec 2, 2005 12:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

GD right pbriun....

....this is a "hockey lovers only" diary, all others screw off.

:-)

PS, I hope Boston enjoys missing the playoffs this yr.

Signed,

Pat Quinn

by bigelephant on Dec 2, 2005 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was just giving the sport

a little good humored ribbing ... it's what I do.

I've tried, I really have, but I have never really been able to follow the puck. I even used to play roller hockey (hey, it's Cali, we do what we can) but I just can't get into the sport on TV.

Check out some awesome music ...

by devo on Dec 2, 2005 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"the flaming puck"

Remember when, i think it was ABC, put a micro-chip in the puck so during the game on TV the puck glowed and when it was shot there was a red flame behind it?

Maybe MLB should try the same thing with the baseball.

by bigelephant on Dec 2, 2005 6:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs