TSN: Sharks GM Doug Wilson Given “Vote of Confidence” by Ownership
Between eating dinner and watching the triple overtime playoff game between the NY Rangers and Washington Capitals (won by the Rangers in the 3rd OT), I came across this Associated Press article on the TSN.ca Website. The headline of the article read “SHARKS OWNERS CALL FOR CHANGES FOLLOWING EARLY PLAYOFF EXIT”. Not that this in itself is going to be a revelation or even something that will be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I read though the article to see if I could find any interesting morsels of information I could pass along to you the loyal Blades of Teal reader.
The article starts out by stating the Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson was given a vote of confidence by the Sharks ownership group, also known as “(The) Sharks Sports & Entertainment.” In the same statement SSE also called the Sharks 7th place finish in the Western Conference for the 2011-12 season and first round exit in five games to the St Louis Blues “unacceptable”. The article goes on to say that no real decision has been made on whether or not Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan would be retained for a fifth season with team teal along with his coaching staff. The ownership continued to comment that though the Sharks have maintained a level and standard for success and desire to remain an elite team, they recognize also that the team has yet to reach the Cup Finals and that they (SSE) as a group are not satisfied.
As far as the vote of confidence goes, you certainly have to say that Doug Wilson has at least earned that much respect and even the benefit of the doubt. My assessment having watched Wilson over the years is his cool demeanor even when facing the adversity of media questions following a disappointing end to the season. To Wilson’s credit, he not only has never dodged the tough questions, he’s faced them all head on and given his best answers and never had for a moment not accepted accountability. I feel Wilson has made some calls that were rather tough and maybe has even had to take a deep breath before pulling the trigger on some trades. If you go back to when Joe Thornton was brought in, many at that time called it a daring trade. Thornton has gotten a bad rap at times from both fans and the media, however I feel silenced all doubters in last years’ post season.
Trading players such as Devon Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and Jamie McGinn were not decisions that were made lightly. The Sharks got decent returns on all of the players. As far as the trade for getting Martin Havlet in exchange for Dany Heatley, Havlet at least hustled on every shift where Heatley took shifts off and also had a bad contract that the Sharks were fortunate to get rid of. Keep in mind though that the fact Heatley got moved also means that anything can happen in this off season once the hot stove gets going when the NHL Draft weekend rolls around on June 22nd & 23rd. To Wilson’s credit, he’s had the ability to make the tough calls.
However the one strike maybe the realization that going forward the Sharks are going to need to find a way to get younger, faster and more physical and not back down. The cornerstones on this team (and to me untouchable players) are four, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe and Thornton. I feel Wilson realizes that the ownership group has been patient however ultimately would not mind seeing team teal in the Stanley Cup Finals and maybe even winning hockey’s ultimate team prize. My question is can Doug Wilson change or modify some of the working philosophies within the team structure to build it up where it has to be to succeed at a championship level. The Sharks have made the Western Conference Finals two of the past three seasons, however unless some change philosophically happens within the organization as well as on the team roster, the next Western Conference Finals appearance will be as far way as any dream of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Wilson in the article acknowledged the team under performed and was disappointed by this past season’s campaign. I’m certainly glad to hear that, as do many Sharks fans. I do not know what Wilson will do. What I can tell you is that “DW” needs to really dig deeper and try to find the things that will get the Sharks back up near the top. Wilson has shown he can do that before and knows he will have to work even harder this time. The Sharks ownership to their credit isn’t a meddling ownership group, but they have made it clear that this past season was not good enough and changes must come or they may be forced into their own set of tough decisions they would frankly not want to make.
Here is the link to the TSN.ca Story:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=394852
The King Shark
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“Blades of Teal: The Final Word on San Jose Sharks Hockey”…(where puck drops again for team teal this October)…
PS: This Monday’s “My Two Cents” for 5/7/2012 I will go more into the ongoing 2nd round of this seasons NHL playoffs, and Sharks news that develops between now and then, and some thoughts about the tragic passing of former NFL star Junior Seau…The King Shark…