And you thought that the Lee Stempniak trade was going to be the biggest piece of news coming out of the NHL yesterday.
Alright, well maybe a 43-year old attempting to come out of a five-year retirement may not qualify as "big news", it does at least lend itself to an enjoyable capper to your favorite evening sports segment.
Lemieux is back believe it or not.
Not to be misleading, but we aren't talking about Mario's third comeback to the NHL. Even if the "Magnificent Sixty-Six" were to come back, I don't think it would generate as many head-scratches as Claude Lemieux signing a minor-league contract with the San Jose Sharks yesterday.
Yeah...Claude Lemieux. And you thought the Mats Sundin saga was strange—at least Sundin never officially retired for half a decade.
Lemieux, fresh off a two-game stint with the China Sharks, has signed on with the Worcester Sharks in hopes of moving his way up the AHL ranks and back on to an NHL roster that features grey-beards Jeremy Roenick and Rob Blake—two players who are three a full five years younger than Lemieux.
Sidenote: For those of you that don't know, the China Sharks are the Asian affiliate of the San Jose Sharks—probably my most favorite piece of info to come from this whole ordeal. I'm still waiting on my contract offer to become GM of their Angola affiliate.
Following this signing, there are a few thoughts on everyone's mind:
1) Lemieux's tryout with the China Sharks was used as a gauge for his potential comeback. Has anyone other than Claude Lemieux ever heard of this team or league before?
And how, exactly, is playing for the China Sharks a proper gauge of how his body is going to handle the AHL game, let alone the NHL game.
2) What was Doug Wilson's thought process behind this move?
3) How effective is a 43-year old Lemiuex going to be for the Sharks if he can make it that high up the organizational ladder?
4) Did anyone else know his middle name was Percy?
Middle monikers aside, Lemieux's comeback is raising more than a few eyebrows around the league, not just because of the obscure China Sharks reference.
But while many of us are discrediting the team (I'll admit, the novelty still hasn't worn off for me), Lemieux didn't do terribly in his two game tryout, registering an assist and four penalty minutes (although it may be worth noting that this is a last-place team in the Asian Ice Hockey League).
Then again, his team also has one of the higher counts of legitimate former North American Hockey players with Wade Flaherty, Steve McKenna, Kevin Du, and Kelly Guard, so it's possible that the added "experience" could have helped Lemieux.
As Lemieux began to shop himself around the NHL, Doug Wilson started considering the prospects of what Lemieux—if he could return to form—could do for his club.
While the grit and dirty play are probably still swimming in the blood of Lemieux, he also has a wealth of experience on his shoulders as well—four cup rings with three different teams.
That's the same amount of cup rings as the rest of the Sharks' roster—thanks in large part to Brad Lukowich.
One has to wonder however, if Wilson actually saw something in Lemieux's body of work with the China Sharks, or if he's just doing his friend a favor in helping to feed his fire.
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about 1 month ago
the sharks are loaded, i doubt lemieux will crack the Sharks' roster.
and the Sharks have 3 cups in their locker room, boyle, lukowich and blake. just thought id let you know.
from about 1 month ago
You're right Andy, I overlooked Lukowich.
Thanks for that,
BT
about 1 month ago
Actually four cups, Luko has two (Tampa and Dallas).
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Darius! Apparently articles coinciding with power points due for class the next day aren't the greatest combination!
BT
from about 1 month ago
haha yeah, 4 lol
and in that case, it actually makes a cooler line for the article, lemiuex has as many cups as the entire sharks locker room.
about 1 month ago
Great Article! When I heard Claude was played for a team in China I almost died laughing! As mentioned above I dont think Claude will make the team as this team is doing too well and to even risk putting him into the lineup with his production in the pre-lockout and his reputation.
about 1 month ago
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2008/11/25/now-which-sharks-signed-claude-lemieux-oh-the-ones-in-worcester/
Pollak has some nice summaries, including quotes from DW on Lemieux's return.
Those of us who are Shark fans have been following the exploits of the China Sharks for two seasons. Moreso since former NHLer/Shark Wade Flaherty is over there tending nets (and teaching 'tenders) this season. SVSE (the Sharks parent org) has the task of developing ice hockey throughout the country of China as the Chinese would like to host the winter Olympics in 2022.
from about 1 month ago
I had heard that G, I was looking around the Sharks (China Sharks that is) site, and I noticed that Flaherty (and I believe Steve McKenna) are both player/coaches. Pretty interesting stuff that I certainly didn't know about before!
BT
about 1 month ago
Speaking as a rabid Sharks' fan, I would hate to see Lemieux in teal. I hope his tryout in Worcester fizzles out quietly without anyone getting hurt. If he can help the China Sharks, more power to him.
I will say this, though: if by some turn of events he happens to actually make it to the NHL Sharks, he will have had to earn it, bigtime. I can't imagine who else on the roster would be sat or sent down to make room for him. He would have to outplay the likes of Goc, Plihal, or Roenick. Somehow, I just don't see that happening.
from about 1 month ago
That's the one issue I see with this, is that the Shark's are so stacked, that Lemieux has to be almost in mid-career form to earn himself a spot in the NHL. It'll be interesting to watch though.
BT
about 1 month ago
Very nice article, BT. Yeah, I don't think there's a way in hell that Lemieux is going to crack this roster. At this point, he is Sean Avery, but with no hockey skills. He hasn't played in so long, at this point, he's just an a-hole on ice. Which isn't really bad, per se...I just don't think he's gonna make it.
from about 1 month ago
Skills or not, I'm sure Brendan Morrow and Mike Modano would take Lemieux back over Avery...
BT
about 1 month ago
Brian, I would suggest that you check your fact when you write an article like this. Doug Wilson did NOT sign Lemieux -- the contract is NOT with the San Jose Sharks. It is strictly a deal with the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester, Mass. Lemieux is a friend of Doug Wilson's and likely used that friendship to arrange a deal with the minor league team, but this is strictly between the Massachusetts club and Lemieux and has nothing to do with the NHL Sharks.
As far as Lemieux returning to the NHL, while it's a stretch, if he is in top shape and still has the desire, perhaps he can make it back. Chelios is quite a bit older and still playing (although he has always been in fantastic physical shape), and Gordie Howe led the WHA in scoring when he was 50, or very close to 50 (I can't quite recall). Meanwhile, Lemieux can most likely help the younger players on the Worcester Sharks as a mentor, and he may even help the team to win some games. So it's probably a good deal for both sides.
Just don't expect him to make it back to the NHL as a San Jose Shark. The roster is just too full of better and younger players for Claude to fit in.
from about 1 month ago
"Lemieux, fresh off a two-game stint with the China Sharks, has signed on with the Worcester Sharks in hopes of moving his way up the AHL ranks and back on to an NHL roster that features grey-beards Jeremy Roenick and Rob Blake—two players who are three a full five years younger than Lemieux."
"as Claude Lemieux signing a minor-league contract with the San Jose Sharks yesterday."
I do mention Doug Wilson's thought-process behind the move, but that's a way of trying to decipher what exactly all of the Sharks management is thinking. AHL affiliate or not, Wilson DID have a hand in this move, and because of that, one has to wonder what he's thinking, promoting a former-NHLer retired for five years trying to come back and take a roster spot over a player that's not only deserving of the ice-time, but needing it.
I think we just got our signals crossed a little bit David, sorry about that! :)
BT
from about 1 month ago
Bryan (sorry I misspelled your name first time):
This is from the San Jose Sharks official web site:
"Several media outlets have incorrectly reported today that former NHL player Claude Lemieux
has signed a tryout contract with the San Jose Sharks.
"Lemieux has actually signed an American Hockey League contract with the Worcester Sharks.
Assuming he clears the 72-hour AHL waiver process, Lemieux is expected to be available to play
for Worcester on Sat., Nov. 29.
"Claude called and inquired about resuming his hockey career and we have given him an
opportunity to pursue it with Worcester,” said Worcester Sharks General Manager Wayne
Thomas. “He is here to help this team win games.”
from about 1 month ago
David, it's ok...I'm not overly concerned about the name :)
I still had it listed as a "minor-league contract" and I also listed him as signing directly on with Worcester, so that was my biggest concern as far as Lemieux signing directly with the Sharks, which as far as fact-checking goes, is right.
As far as Doug Wilson's involvement, I was of the belief that Wilson did (at the time of writing) have input on the decision. If, as the quotes state, the conversation was strictly between Wayne Thomas and Lemieux, then that's my fault and it's wrong. Despite it being an AHL contract though, Lemieux does (according to reports) have the intention of proving he can return to the NHL, which has been talked about since mid-October (he was working out in Arizona earlier this year...I believe it was with the Phoenix Roadrunners).
Have a good one David!
BT
about 1 month ago
Well...he probably got a great workout in China from HALL-OF-FAME GOALTENDER Wade Flaherty...so he's DEFINITELY ready for another shot at the big leagues
about 1 month ago
I think it's a shrewd move on Wilson's part. Even if "Pepe" doesn't crack the Sharks line-up, he's an affordable band-aid if the Sharks have an injury at either wing heading into the post season. Lemeiux isn't going to floor anyone with his numbers, but the one thing about the guy that nobody seems to remember is how much of a clutch player he has been throughout his entire career. This guy has made a living out of being a pest, and scoring back-breaking goals in important games.
from about 1 month ago
80 playoff goals over his playoff career, ranking 9th all-time (I'm pretty sure that's his ranking). At least he gets it done when it counts.
BT
about 1 month ago
Claude was awesome in Colorado and pretty much helped make the Colorado-Detroit rivalry (though it's hardly a rivalry anymore).
I heard somewhere that he's in better shape then he was in his playing days. Even if that's true, his age like you mentioned will hurt him.
Even with that, I hope he does get a shot to play in the NHL, and contribute a little (even if it's a few good hits and maybe some assists).
Great read and hopefully Claude can comeback strong.
about 1 month ago
This is never gonna happen. Petr Nedved played great in a tryout for Philly I'm pretty sure in the preseason. He had somewhere in the ballpark of a point per game. He was still cut. Lemieux has no chance. Nice piece.
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