Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Former Shark Takes On Gary Bettman- As the NHL Lockout drags on and continues to eat away at could likely be a salvageable portion of the 2012-13 NHL season, Detroit Red Wings’ defenseman and former Shark Ian White minced no words in giving his thoughts in a recent interview with Detroit News. White made it clear that not only is he frustrated with league Commissioner Gary Bettman, he also does not have too much respect for the man in charge of the NHL. White told the Detroit News “I personally think he’s an idiot.” White continued, “Since he’s come in, he’s done nothing but damaged the game. The moves he’s made, teams that are struggling seem to be ones he put in places where there’s not viable markets for hockey.”** White pointed out that their have been multiple lockouts since Bettman became the league’s commissioner and that it questionable that he is control of the league as far as the Owners are concerned. White is only one of many players who have grown impatient with the league’s continuous inability to negotiate and agree on a new CBA. All NHL Games through December 1st to date have been cancelled along with what was supposed to be this years Winter Classic, featuring White’s Red Wings taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at the University of Michigan’s 104,000 seat football stadium.

White is not the only one with a beef here. Anaheim Duck’s great Teemu Selanne who is probably in the best physical shape of anyone at age 42 anywhere on the planet, has stated the lockout is unfair to the fans who support the game and that he may now have to consider retirement should the situation continue on. Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews also has voiced frustrations about the ongoing lockout and a season disintegrating before our eyes, as has Pittsburgh Penguins’ star Sidney Crosby. As many of you already know several San Jose Sharks players and NHL players have had to go to European Leagues and then KHL to play in any professional contests this season. If things are not settled soon, most of these players will remain where they are for the remainder of those league’s seasons since the NHL is likely to be on hiatus for some time to come. If you are in the Bay Area or Northern California, you at least have the ECHL’s San Francisco Bulls and Stockton Thunder playing to fill the void. There are also junior leagues and even NCAA or club hockey teams playing now that though not the same as the NHL, will give you a good glimpse of what the sport is supposed to be all about. The Nashville Predators are promoting youth hockey in there area and put together a nice video in which the players were pleasantly surprised. I will give a link to this video later in this column.

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Photo: Bret Hartman / AP

It was a frustrating game to watch last night. The Ducks’ main puck-stopper, Jonas Hiller, played a great game and shut the Sharks out in a 1-0 win. By all accounts the Sharks didn’t look as sharp as they did last week in their home opener against the Coyotes. The Sharks’ passes and shots seemed to lack the lethal finish that this club is known for. All it took to beat the Sharks was a first-period goal by Maxime Macenauer, the first of his career.

Despite being unable to finish on their chances, the Sharks did throw a lot of rubber at the Ducks’ net last night. The Sharks had 11 shots in the first period, and ended up out shooting the Ducks 31-23. But as we have seen time and time again, a hot goalie can steal a game, and that’s what Hiller did last night.

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image from http://www.hockeyoutlet.com

Ahhh Thanksgiving… A day to sit back and take stock of what you are thankful for in your life. The timing of the NHL’s Opening Weekend was perfect for us Canadians, we were treated to some great hockey on this holiday long-weekend.

As an NHL fan, I have had some time to think about 5 things that I’m thankful for. Here we go:

5) The Vancouver Canucks lost their home-opener in heartbreaking fashion. The Penguins spoiled the party by defeating the Canucks in a shootout. I’m sorry but after the playoffs last year, I can’t cut Vancouver annnnnny slack. They are forever on my “annoying teams” list.

4) The Sharks treated us to an exciting and goal-filled home opener. The 6-3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes was such a feel-good win on so many levels… Greiss played awesome; Handzus scored a goal; the big boys (e.g., Marleau, Pavs, Clowe) got into the act early; and Andrew Desjardins had a break-out game.

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