tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361983473584668994.post2013379611282168935..comments2023-03-25T06:07:08.762-07:00Comments on TEAM 1200's Dean Brown: A tough time to trust.Dean Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11373545436725889301noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361983473584668994.post-42123862315388560362009-05-22T08:09:59.305-07:002009-05-22T08:09:59.305-07:00Getting to the final means nothing. When the Shar...Getting to the final means nothing. When the Sharks lose 4 playoff rounds to the same team then they will reach the epic level of fail the Sens did.furciferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423197703957361402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361983473584668994.post-63779826424560889982009-05-02T21:54:00.000-07:002009-05-02T21:54:00.000-07:00Dean, you are absolutely dreaming if you think the...Dean, you are absolutely dreaming if you think the San Jose sharks have even 1/4 of the choking reputation of the Ottawa Senators. The Ottawa Senators have been doing this for years. The Sharks are not even in the same ballpark in this regard. In fact, let's look at the last ten years and let's handicap the Sharks by only looking at the Senator playoff performances vs. the lowly Leafs. How many times did a brilliant regular season by Ottawa get upset in the playoffs by the Leafs? 4 times? That's more than the San Jose against all opponents.<br /><br />I like your strategy though: Deflect attention from the "true" poster boys of post season flameouts (ie: The Senators) by talking about the Sharks. Unfortunately, that's like Bernie Madoff pointing to Joe-six pack who cheated on his taxes and saying, "See, I'm not the only greedy guy, he did it too." Sheesh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361983473584668994.post-58985300609905315612009-04-30T21:19:00.000-07:002009-04-30T21:19:00.000-07:00Like you stated, Ottawa has made the Finals, while...Like you stated, Ottawa has made the Finals, while the Sharks haven't, that is a very big difference between the two teams. <br /><br />I don't think that the Sens are hampered by a psychological mountain that they have to climb. Rather, I think that the Sens have been mismanaged. Too much tinkering with systems and players, and not enough patience in letting players be themselves and play to their strengths.<br /><br />As for the Sharks, I can't help but think of the lessons of 15 years ago. Back then, Detroit was led by a superstar, Stevie Y. For many years, Detroit finished near or at the top of the NHL standings, but consistently choked come playoff time. The worst being the 1993 first round exit to the Leafs.<br /><br />They even brought in a legendary coach in Bowman. In 1995, they had finally made it to the Finals and were heavily favoured to beat the Devils. They were swept.<br /><br />Stevie Y was branded as a good player, but a choker. Many pundits were convinced that you couldn't win with Stevie Y as the focal point.<br /><br />In 1997 they finally won. Since then, they have won three more times and are now regarded as an organization with a winning culture. Stevie Y is now regarded as the consummate leader and winner.<br /><br />To me, the lesson is that winning is a process. If you have the talent, sometimes you just have to let the players work through it. They'll get there. I understand that a fickle fan base can make this difficult. But, this is where a strong management team is essential.<br /><br />Stevie Y won 14 years into his career. Joe is only 12 years in. Spezza is only 6 years in.<br /><br />Joe will win someday.<br /><br />San Jose is where Detroit was 15 years ago. San Jose has the talent. Their issues are psychological. If I'm Doug Wilson, I would let the core guys work through the issues. They have enough free agents that the roster will naturally have a new look next year. Blowing it up would be a mistake.<br /><br />If they stick with it, they may be on the verge of creating organizational DNA that is necessary to sustain winning over the long-term.<br /><br />That is what has happened in Detroit. That organization is about more than the players. They have an organizational memory of lessons learned that they can draw on. They faced adversity and worked through it as a group.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5361983473584668994.post-44664511978860880702009-04-30T20:12:00.000-07:002009-04-30T20:12:00.000-07:00Trade Spezza for Thornton.Trade Spezza for Thornton.Gordon of Riverworldnoreply@blogger.com