My Two Cents: San Jose Sharks’ Long Offseason Won’t Be Dull
“We will continue as we move towards a harder, younger, move aggressive team that will stay with it.”
– Sharks GM Doug Wilson.
Plattner’s Statement:
“I am very disappointed in the way our team finished the 2013-14 season. Gaining a 3-0 series advantage and being unable to advance is a major blow to our organization and fan base. Our teams have been consistently built to go deep into the playoffs and this goal won’t change. Doug Wilson and I have met over the past two weeks. He has shared his support of the coaching staff, as well as his recommended changes to our team’s roster, and he has my complete support moving forward. I want to thank our extremely loyal fans and partners for their continued support and to let them know that we are not satisfied with the status quo of the last several seasons. I am confident that with the proposed changes, Doug and his staff will build a team we can all be proud of.”
My takeaway from this is somewhat mixed.
On one hand, I’m glad to see that Plattner realizes that what just happened is grossly unacceptable not only to the fan base but also as an organization. I am glad to hear he is disappointed as he should be. He also acknowledged the fans and let them know that he’s not anymore thrilled about what happened than they are. These are all good things to hear for certain. Behind closed door perhaps, just maybe Plattner told DW he was “as mad as hell and he wasn’t going to take it anymore!”, or at least something along those lines.
Just perhaps. I can only hope that happened. My other takeaway from this is Plattner just wants his hockey people to manage the crises and doesn’t want to really be brought into it otherwise. Maybe this is wise on his part. On one hand you have an owner who is not meddlesome. On the other hand you have an owner who at times gives the impression of being absentia. Hopefully Plattner understands that just as with SAP, he also has shareholders with the Sharks in the name of the season ticket holders and sponsors.
He also has to be aware that both he and DW will be solidly judged by what happens to the Sharks not only leading into the 2014-15 season, but also the 2014-15 season itself. What will we be talking about one year from today becomes one of the big questions. However the Sharks first must focus on what they need to do here and now and not get ahead of themselves.