By the metric of player costs to wins, in the four seasons since the NHL introduced a salary cap, the Sharks are the only team to finish each season in the top eight among the league’s 30 teams.

I bet this guy owns/uses a pocket protector. While I understand the need for a Forbes writer to put a financial slant on everything, the inclusion of wins in any sort of metric is kind of pointless...until they figure out how to charge more for tickets on those nights.

Posted by shep on 11/11/09 at 08:37 PM ET

By the metric of player costs to wins, in the four seasons since the NHL introduced a salary cap, the Sharks are the only team to finish each season in the top eight among the league’s 30 teams

Oh Pleeeeeease. The last thing hockey needs is some bill james slappy to do sabermetrics and determine who the ‘best’ team is.

I’m sure coach Mccllean has this forbes article posted on the loceroom wall.

Hey guys , looks like we didn’t choke the last 3 years after all.

Posted by Down River Dan on 11/11/09 at 09:37 PM ET

Paul, don’t mean to double post, but I just followed the link and read this guy’s article.
This story is so full of holes , I really can’t believe that Forbes would allow this kind of garbage to be associated with their name.

I Honestly don’t believe this guy knows a thing about hockey.

Also, he has Danny Heatley being a part of the sharks team and helping lead them to the president’s cup?????????????

I think those Wall Street boy’s need to stick to what they know best ( ruining the economy).

Posted by Down River Dan on 11/11/09 at 09:50 PM ET

Not a problem DRD.  This is what the comments are for, giving the fans a chance to express their views.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 11/11/09 at 10:03 PM ET

Hmm...As a Red Wings fan all I have to say is:

Pfftpffhahahahah...Haha...Hahaha!...Hahahah!...HAHAH!!!
...HAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

How about you quote Gary Betman in his Versus interview here somewhere in this article, in which he stated that Pittsburgh is the MODEL FRANCHISE?

I’m gonna leave it at that, and finish with a Darren Pang Quote:

“Holy Jumpin’!”

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 11/11/09 at 10:43 PM ET

While it’s true there are holes in the article, it DOES present some interesting ideas, and some interesting background information about Doug Wilson and his apparent scouting strategies.  I’d like to hear more about this--how, for instance, it helps to have a right-handed shooter who does well from the slot on left-handed goalies.  Also interesting to hear about Wilson working during the off-season back when he played for the Blackhawks.

That said, it does sound a heck of a lot like Moneyball, and as both an A’s and a Sharks fan, I’m tired of postseason flame-outs!

Also, it kind of ignores some actual financial matters--I mean, Douglas Murray and Ryane Clowe have some pretty hefty contracts, and Christian Erhoff is in Vancouver because we just had to have another top-end forward.  I want to see it explained how this is part of the plan.

Posted by nosferatu from OH! on 11/11/09 at 10:50 PM ET