Sharks spotlight: Ryane Clowe

Share

Editor's note: Over the next month, CSNCalifornia.com Sharks Insider Kevin Kurz and Postgame Live reporter Brodie Brazil will evaluate the 2011-12 performance of each player on the roster. One breakdown will occur every weekday in numerical order.

Sharks spotlight -- the series
Sharks spotlight: Ryane CloweAge: 29LWIn his seventh NHL season, all with the Sharks, winger RyaneClowe had 17 goals and 28 assists for 45 points and 97 penalty minutes in 76games. An alternate captain, Clowe led the Sharks in penalty minutes and hadthree assists in five playoff games.Kurz says: Hes won trophies for his game face alone, butThe Most Interesting Man on the Sharks had an off season by his standards. Clowes goal and point totals were his fewest since 2007-08, and hedidnt seem as strong on the puck or along the boards as in years past. Still,Clowes value to the Sharks isnt measured on stats alone, as he brings anelement of toughness and grit that isnt exactly abundant on the Sharksroster. Clowe also battled through some significant second half injuries,including a facial fracture and concussion. The team did not reveal Clowe'shead injury until after the season ended, but Doug Wilson said it happened atsome point during the miserable February road trip.SLIDESHOW: Grading the Sharks
Brodie says: I stillremember Clowe on January 10th, getting a face-full of glasson the endboards at Xcel Energy Center.It caused him to attach a full cage to his bucket for the next 3 games,until he decided that things werent getting better and he missed the final 2weeks of January. This had to be more ofa lasting setback than Clowe would ever admit to. There was also the time Ryane took a blistering Brent Burnspoint shot, square to the front of the hemlet proceeded to blow off some steamon the bench by demolishing a stick, then went right back into the game. And we could go on, and on, but lets statewhat you already know: Clowe is one of the toughest guys, with one of thehighest pain tolerances on the team.The chemistry between Clowe and center Logan Coutureremained evident this season, as Ryane prides himself on winning battles alongthe wall to set up Logan with the puck in a scoring position.It was also another productive season for Clowe in terms ofshootouts he was used more than any other player by Todd McLellan (11 totalshots), scoring 5 goals, including 4 which decided the contest. And for fun, now that the season is over: who can forgetgame 81 when Clowe actually played a puck from the bench at Staples Center,without getting caught. Still gives me agood chuckle. 2012-13 expectationsKurz says: At 29 years old, Clowe is still an effectivepower forward in the NHL, and theres no doubt hell come to training camp inthe fall looking to rebound from a tough season. And, really, theres no reasonto think he cant surpass this seasons point total, so long as he stayshealthy. That, of course, is the key. Clowe plays with recklessabandon and is as intense as anyone in the NHL, and the fact that he playedthrough a concussion in February is proof of that. But, would he had beenbetter served by sitting out a few games rather than playing through such aserious injury?RELATED: Clowes statssplitsgame logs
Brodie says: Nobodywants to win in the regular season, and succeed in the postseason more thanRyane Clowe. There might be equalsamongst the lineup, and I do not mean that as a disrespect to anyone else inthe room; its just that the 29 year old winger clearly demonstrates the firethat burns inside him. Clowe was coming off 3 increasingly successful seasons (52,57, and 62 points respectively), before he put up 45 in 76 games this pastyear. As mentioned, much of that lowertotal, likely hindered by injuries. Andtheres no reason to think he cant get back to that groove, which in my bookdepends on one thing: Health.Ryane plays hard, and plays hard minutes. As the coaching staff will tell you, he playsa mans game. And unfortunately thatdoes take a toll from head to toe.Nobody can ask Clowe to play a different, or more conservative game,because aggression is where he excels.If Im penciling in next years lineup today: Ive already got Clowe paired up with Coutureon the second line.Up next: Antti Niemi

Contact Us