Diverging Realities Part Two: The Sharks Fan Base, Jumbo And Patty, And Why The Playoffs Matter (Really! They do!)

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Hey, Shark Circle here. Part One of this blog-series focused on what I mean by Diverging Realities, what caused them, and how the phenomenon has divided the hockey world at large. Here is Part Two, which will focus on the effect within the Sharks fan base, in particular the debates surrounding Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and the question of whether players are responsible for their performances in the playoffs. If you haven’t read Part One yet, I recommend you start with it first, otherwise Part Two will be very difficult to understand. Please enjoy!

I spent the last blog detailing how realities have diverged among fans across the NHL, but that doesn’t mean the phenomenon isn’t at its worst, or close to it, in San Jose. Nowhere have I noticed the divide between the people who try to understand as much of reality as they can, and the people who inadvertently create their own through mathematical miscalculations and manipulation**, more than within the Sharks fan base. Specifically, the debate surrounding Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau’s playoff history. The advanced stats community (aka #fancystats on twitter) has always discounted the entire idea of “performance” and self-determinism in the playoffs, so it’s no wonder that a discussion surrounding great regular-season performancers who decline in the playoffs completely confounds them. And for the first time since these fans have risen to prominence arrogance within the Sharks community, they are greatly displeased with the way things are going, what with Sharks GM Doug Wilson saying he’s moving towards major decisions they don’t agree with. And as we all know, it’s not until adversity hits that you necessarily see all of people’s true colors. And this group of fans has turned on Doug Wilson very aggressively since he stated his intention to change the direction he takes this franchise in.

How To Lose In Victory And Fail At Failing: Why The Anaheim Ducks Win Streak Could Prove More Costly Than Any Loss

In professional sports, all that matters is winning, but in the case of the Anaheim Ducks, winning is the last thing they should be doing right now. Coming into this season, Ducks’ fans were optimistic coming off a fourth place regular season finish in the Western Conference, but optimism quickly turned to pessimism as the Ducks once again proved that hockey is not basketball, and four great players cannot win all by themselves in a 20-player sport. Of course I’m exaggerating, as the Ducks do have more than four quality players, but the point is the same: whatever the number, it’s not nearly enough. If General Manager Bob Murray was foolish enough to doubt that fact after the Ducks first-round playoff exit to an impotent and banged-up Nashville Predators squad last year, I would hope the Ducks’ performance this season has removed any and all doubt that the team’s depth is among the league’s worst.

Trade Analysis: Phoenix Coyotes Trade Kyle Turris to Ottawa Senators for David Rundblad and 2012 2nd Round Pick

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THE TRADE

As per Bob Mckenzie of TSN, the Phoenix Coyotes have dealt former 3rd overall pick Kyle Turris to the Ottawa Senators for highly touted Swedish defensive prospect David Rundblad and a 2nd round draft pick in 2012.

The deal comes months after Kyle Turris requested a trade out of Phoenix during the offseason. As a restricted free agent, Turris had originally refused to sign a contract with the Coyotes, demanding he be dealt elsewhere. However, Coyotes’ GM Don Maloney was adamant that Turris would not be traded unless he received a trade offer that blew him out of the water, and he remained true to his word. Turris was eventually forced to sign or risk not being allowed to play in the NHL all season. However, there were rumors that a back-room agreement was made that if Turris signed, Maloney would continue looking to trade him. It appears those rumors were correct, as today Maloney dealt Turris to the Ottawa Senators.

ANALYSIS

OTTAWA SENATORS:

In center Kyle Turris, the Ottawa Senators get a former 3rd overall pick from the 2007 NHL Entry Draft who, despite disappointing thus far in his short NHL career, does have potential.