I can't really blame McLellan too much for their playoff woes when he never knows what he's getting in goal. I know, Niemi has a Cup, but how much of that was really him? His stats from those playoffs weren't all that impressive. With the Sharks he's only been really good for one playoff run. Then last year he couldn't stop a damn thing for 4 games against LA.
He was the Sharks best player in the 2013 playoffs. He gave them more than their fair share chance to win the series against the Kings that year.
He wasn't that bad for the Sharks in last year's playoffs. Not like Ryan Miller was for the Blues.
This is the bottom line though and that's what I always tell Sharks fans, Niemi is a league average goaltender. He's still the best goaltender they have on their roster by far, and he's still better than both of the top UFA goalies that were signed last year. Ryan Miller (who some Sharks fans were pining for and still are wondering why he wasn't signed) hasn't even been as good as Niemi this year. Neither has Hiller, and Hiller is an average goaltender at best for the better part of his career. Miller hasn't been the same since he left Buffalo and is 35 years old now, 3 years older than Niemi. Also paid a hell of a lot more. Niemi gets **** on way too much by Sharks fans. The guy isn't even close to an elite goaltender, but he's no worse than average either. Stalock was in net for game 6 of the LA series last season, after Niemi wasn't good in game 5 and was pulled in games 4 and 5. I backed this decision at the time, but it wound up not making a difference. I was furious on one of the goals that wasn't whistled in game 6 of that series. It was the go ahead goal and reminded me of one of the goals in the 2012 SCF when the whistle wasn't blown when Marty had the puck covered. After seeing replay footage after the fact, it appears the whistle wasn't blown because the puck was still visible after squeaking between Stalock's pads. That goal in game 5 might have been the end of the series for the Sharks. Their 1st period in game 5 was probably the dagger though.
All of that aside, I don't blame McLellan too much for the playoff woes either. I don't blame him for this season so much anymore either. This recent junk with DW and Joe Thornton might have made things either worse.
Doug made an idiot out of the fanbase and himself when he suggested they were rebuilding after last year. Then he went back on it and said ''Well when I say rebuild, it isn't the same as what most consider a rebuild''. He isn't a bad GM IMO, but I think his expiration date is nearing with the Sharks.
I still think Tmac should go after this year, it appears he may have lost the team. I'm getting that feeling lately. And it's not his fault but when that happens, it's clear that the coach has reached his expiration date.
