Killer Instinct: What’s Next for the San Jose Sharks?

Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan looks on during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

It’s really hard for me to start this article off because I can’t get past any of the cliches, so I’m not going to even try. However, what I will do is say what needs to be said. Last night, the San Jose Sharks had a crucial chance to keep their playoff hopes alive against a much lesser team in the standings, the Arizona Coyotes. Instead, they went out in typical Sharks’ fashion. The trend that had hurt them all year showed up again, and the Sharks threw away what was left of their pride and playoff hopes along with a season that really was lost from the get-go.

I said it in my Stadium Series article, and I’ll say it again. Inconsistency was the disease that plagued the Sharks all season. Would I say it was a lack of effort? I want to, and hell, like I said before I question a lot of the decisions made by the players. But in the end, I can’t totally put the blame there, because guys like Joe Pavelski showed they wanted to keep their post-season alive and end on a good note not just by being vocal and giving a profanity-filled rant on what they need to do to actually play Sharks hockey again but also showing it on the ice by contributing and producing. Because their former Captain, Joe Thornton, showed that he can still do some damage for the Sharks and that he could still be a trusted leader in the group. I mean, hell, he was one of the three goal scorers in last night’s game. He didn’t want their playoff hopes to end right there in the Desert.

Now aside from all the off-ice drama, yes, the bottom line was that they couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most and that really hurt them. Yes, there will be changes made during the off-season. Just what they will be, we won’t really know until then. But here’s what’s got to happen if the Sharks don’t want to repeat the same mistakes over again.

1) Doug Wilson has got to go. Almost every Sharks fan I’ve talked to has been extremely adamant about it. I am too. The number of useless trades that really got the Sharks nowhere, and the number of questionable signings that left your head scratching, and above all, moving Brent Burns back to defense along with other questionable line-up decisions — I think that really solidifies his departure if Hasso Plattner is really going to fire him. I don’t think I have to say more about that.

2) Invest in excellent draft picks for the future, preferably on defense. That shouldn’t be so hard as the new Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, are coming to town at SAP Center next season.

3) Manage the youth ice time a lot better.

4) Get a new goaltender. Antti Niemi‘s time as a Sharks’ net minder is done. They could get someone like James Reimer or Jonathan Bernier of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alex Stalock will still be a Shark, but I have a strong feeling he stays as back-up as he slipped quite a bit this year.

5) Make Pavs captain. He really showed his leadership material this season, although he might or might not make it to the 40-goal plateau again. Like I said, his words in the locker room were one thing, but his actions on the ice really solidified my thoughts. Meanwhile, Jumbo showed he’s still got a lot left in the tank, but I highly doubt they’ll give him the captaincy again.

Finally, 6) Get people who really want to stay, contribute, and be a factor in winning games consistently as a team. No more individual efforts. No more every man for himself, and they’ve got to understand that very well. All four lines have to roll, and the trust factor has to be there as well.

No one’s happy. Doug Wilson isn’t happy. Hasso Plattner sure as hell ain’t happy. The entire coaching staff ain’t happy. The players ain’t happy, and obviously neither are any of us fans. But the question ain’t who’s happy. The question really is who actually gives a crap? Who actually cares enough and is willing to respond after this lost season? That will be on Hasso Plattner to decide, if he himself even cares.

Well, whether or not you guys still decide to watch the playoffs is up to you. I still will. But, one thing’s for sure is that this off-season will be a very interesting one that will tell us a lot about what Mr. Plattner has in mind for the future of this organization and what kind of owner he really wants to be. Let’s just cross our fingers tightly and hope that DW’s time as a Sharks GM is done, and if that doesn’t happen, so is Plattner’s time as owner of this team.