My Man Staubitz! TRADED.

May you bash in Jordan Tootoo's face wherever you go, Stauby.

A small smattering of media, former teammates form team's past, and current Sharks met inside the The Grill at the Tank today to wish Rob Blake farewell as he announced his retirement from the NHL. The entire affair was fairly short and sweet, with Blake seeming almost reluctant in his attendance.

(I doubt many people want to be at their own retirement parties, especially when they're televised and involve the press.)

The presser started with a nice introduction from Sharks radio announcer Dan Rusanowsky. Sharks Pres. Greg Jamison then spoke, and was about as succinct as I ever have heard him. Usually he rambles and makes some really awkwardly bad jokes, but today he stayed on the topic of Blake and didn't take too long. DW then made his comments. You could tell that he really does admire Blake and had wanted him here in San Jose badly for some time. He says it took 5 years to convince Blake to come here, and I can only guess at how many phone callas Blake got until he said yes. Doug Wilson is known for being relentless when going after players he feels would be a good fit in San Jose.

Blake kept his own words short. He very nearly lost it as he said he was announcing his retirement, but he collected himself and stayed fairly stoic through the rest of the press event. He seemed to genuinely enjoy his time here and was deeply disappointed that the Sharks didn't get to go all the way this year. They improved and the worked hard and did well, but it wasn't the ultimate goal. He said going forward he can see the Sharks building on this year and benefiting from it.

Joe Thornton, Patty Marleau, Nabby and Seto were all in attendance today.  Todd McLellan called in with his remarks and Joe Sakic sent in a video to congratulate Blake and reassure him that retirement isn't a bad thing. Blake also said that he was looking forward to some family time, but that he was interested in staying in hockey and starting a new career with it. DW made it clear they'd find him a spot here if he wanted, and I'm sure LA's front office would enjoy having him back as well. When Blake wants a new job, I seriously doubt he'll have any problem finding one.

The event ended with some questions from the media, both in attendance and on a conference call. It was short and simple, and wrapped within half an hour. Blake will be giving an interview tonight on Chronicle Live as well.

Thanks for the two years, Blake and good luck in all your future endevors. We'll miss being able to call you "Capn Hook."

It's been a little while, hasn't it?

Well, here we are, another hockey season has come to a close and while the Sharks didn't reach the ultimate goal this year, I'm surprisingly not disappointed.

I know a decent number of folks are mad that the Sharks didn't win the Cup this year, but whatever. They improved. Yes, OBVIOUSLY, I would have liked to see them make the Cup Finals but it didn't happen. I'm really proud of the work they did this season and making it to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2004 ain't no small thing. If their scoring hadn't gone ice cold in the 3rd round, I suspect it would have been a bit longer than 4 games. Honestly, I was happy with the effort. If you weren't, that's your choice.

Congratulations are in order for the Hawks. I'd have some art for you but I've been working/sick all week, so guess who hasn't had a chance to draw? ME! (I know, sick AGAIN?! This is what I get for going back to work, immune system batterings by an office full of sick people) I'm sure I'll get around to a drawing for it at some point here. I am, admittedly, still a little sad that Boosh didn't get to touch the Cup this season. The mental pictures a Flyers win would have provided are far more hilarious than anything I currently have in mind for the Hawks.

So what's in store for the summer, you ask?

Well, neither Mina or I will be heading to the draft. Afro is back in Canada, and I don't think she has any plans to head stateside come draft time, but I'm not positive. We would have liked to have gone, and were I still gainfully unemployed, I would have. But I have a full time gig now AND Mina and I have a baseball trip planned for this summer, on top of like a bazillion weddings, so I just can't swing the time off.

This has caused a distinct lack of rejoicing.

I am also currently not able to post from work*, which has caused a distinct lack of posting. But fear not, dear readers, for my schedule has shifted from swing to days and so, I shall once again have time after work to post about all things hockey. Well, when the summer provides us with actual NEWS anyway. These are the leanest months for bloggers. Sure Blake's retiring, and there's a ton of players that need to be resigned, and rampant speculation about Nabby's future with the Sharks, but it's not like there's any real news out there.

But I'm sure once something news worthy comes up, we'll cover it.

*this isn't entirely true, but let's just say that posting from work would be a bad idea.

You all deserve a post, and I really want to give you one. This is going up here later today, but I wanted to share.

While I personally don't really care about him taking the game pucks the chance to draw him dressed up as the Hamburgler was too good to pass up!

You might be wondering where we've been. No, not wallowing in a sea of our own miserable tears! There's nothing to be sad about, aside from the lack of Sharks hockey (and soon to be lack of any hockey). The Sharks had a great run, it just ended a round short.

It's not like there isn't stuff going on; today was locker room clean out, there's been speculation about Blake, Nabby and Patty. We have a tone of guys we need to resign, a lot of news. And we'd really like to be covering it for you. No seriously! We would. It's just a little hectic for us IRL right now.

You see, Mina and Afro are finishing up their respective school years (one teaching, one learning) and I just got a full time gig, which has taken precedence over blogging. My schedule's also crazy right now and basically if I want to sleep, eat my 6-8 mini squares a day, workout/handle house work and work itself, I have to let the blog stuff slide. That's also why I haven't been tweeting as much. Once stuff settles down, I'll be able to blog more. And then it will be summer and we'll have nothing to talk about.

What a sad day that will be.

Just WIN!

NOM THEM ALL!!!!!!!