Like many people, I have been watching the suspension videos released by the NHL. Having played soccer for well over 2 decades, I am well acquainted with the subjectivity of refereeing, not to mention players diving all over the place. I applaud the league and especially Brendan Shanahan for releasing these videos that explain suspensions in such a clear way. I'm looking forward to the release of videos that explain non-calls/non-suspensions.

However, I noticed a difference in the latest couple videos as opposed to the first couple.

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One of the main complaints people have had in the past is that Doug Wilson waits too long to assemble his team. He almost never seems to make a deal or sign a free agent until either late in the summer or during the season (Dan Boyle trade excepted) In fact, he criticized himself for not having this team together until January.

That has not been the case this year. Doug Wilson has been one of the most active GMs in the league. Arguably only the Flyers have experienced more change this offseason than the Sharks. But how has Doug Wilson done? The individual trades have been dissected ad nauseum so I thought it might be nice to look at the big picture.

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What if Setoguchi doesn't get an offer sheet from another team? We made him a QO so he won't be a UFA. Does that mean that he stays with the team at his current salary and becomes a UFA next year? If so, do you think DW might sit down with Seto and explain that to him and let him know that he will get the pay raise next year? After all, our UFAs next year are Thornton, Wallin, Nichol, Huskins along with Demers and McGinn as RFAs.

I don't know how the CBA works so this is just thinking out loud. If this is the case, then we still have $9M to work with (or 7 if you expect Malhotra to sign)

For some reason or other, whenever I'm psyched up I listen to one of two speeches. Either Al Pacino's speech at the end of "Scent of A Woman" or the "Saint Crispin's Day" speech from Henry V. So with all do respect to Mr. Shakespeare, here is an rephrasing of Henry V's speech adapted for today.

SHARKS PLAYOFF DAY

What's he that wishes so?

My brother Plank? No, my fair brothers and sisters;

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow

To do our team loss; and if to live,

The further advance, the greater share of honour.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one fair-weather fan more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my jerseys wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

But if it be a sin to covet our Lord Stanley,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my brothers and sisters, wish not a bandwagon fan.

God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour

As one fan more methinks would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Plank, through this host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made,

And money for cabs put into his purse;

We would not die in that fan's company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is call'd Sharks Playoff Day.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,

And rouse him at the name of Sharks.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow are The Playoffs.'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say 'These wounds I had when Sharks did play.'

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember, with advantages,

What feats he did that day. Then shall their names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words-

Cocky Nabby, Patty Marleau and Jumbo Joe,

Boyle and Pavs, Heatley and Clowe-

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Sharks Playoff Day shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And fans across the land then-a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they did not cheer,

And hold their fanhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Sharks Playoff day.

GO SHARKS.