Questions about Wilson’s future rise
SAN JOSE >> The Sharks haven’t given their fans many reasons to feel joy around the holiday season.
At 16-20-2, the Sharks are in the basement of the Western Conference, nine points out of a playoff spot with 44 games to play. They are 1-8-1 in December, with games left this month against Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Detroit.
As the Sharks dig lumps of coal out of their stockings, let’s take a peek at the Christmas edition of the mailbag.
DOUG WILSON HAS CREATED OUR WINNING CULTURE FOR 15-PLUS YEARS, HOWEVER THIS LEAGUE IS A ‘WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY’ BUSINESS. WHAT WILL BE THE FATE OF DW IF THIS SEASON CONTINUES TO SPIRAL? (@JOSHENANY21) SHOULD THIS TEAM MISS THE PLAYOFFS, DOES THIS MEAN THE END OF THE DOUG WILSON ERA? HE MADE A BIG GAMBLE ON YOUNG PLAYERS AND IT (DIDN’T PAY OFF). (@CARLOSV37)
Doug Wilson exercised his power move by firing Pete DeBoer on Dec. 11 and replacing him with interim coach Bob Boughner. The Sharks are 1-3-0 since the coaching change, an indication that the problems have more to do with the men in uniform than the ones in suits behind the bench.
If the Sharks do not rally to make the playoffs, it seems assured there will be change. The question is if Boughner is not retained, will Wilson be the one allowed to find his replacement? Most NHL general managers have historically not received the chance to make more than two or three coaching changes.
If Boughner is not brought back, his successor will be the Sharks’ fifth head coach since the spring of 2008.
I’m not going to pretend I know what majority owner Hasso Plattner is thinking, but he and Wilson have a positive relationship. The last time the Sharks did not make the playoffs in 2015, Plattner stood behind Wilson, as he sent out a letter to season ticket-holders in April of that year expressing confidence in his general manager.
Perhaps that relationship is still strong enough to weather another postseason-free spring in San Jose. But without question, at some point, Wilson is going to have to articulate to his boss what his vision is for the next few seasons, as it appears this one will end in disappointment.
LITERALLY WHAT IS THE PLAN? NO NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK, NO-MOVEMENT CLAUSES ALL OVER THE PLACE, PROSPECTS AREN’T READY. THINGS ARE BLEAK. (@DELUMINATOR61) WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTUALLY MOVE SOMEONE DUE TO NO-MOVEMENTS, CAP HITS, ETC? (@KENHUGHE)
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for some of the players with nomovement clauses in their contracts to get dealt. Too much money, unless the Sharks want to retain some of those dollars, and too much term. That’s my guess, anyway.
The plans haven’t changed. But this team, this 2019-20 version of the Sharks, still has not yet figured out how to play with each other, or what will make them successful on a consistent basis.
Although the Sharks haven’t said it yet, this will be, I believe, looked back on as a transition year. Wilson’s decision to rotate AHL players in and out of the Sharks roster, I think, will pay off in the long run. But it’s tough right now.
THE SHARKS HAVE LOOKED BETTER THE LAST FEW GAMES, BUT THE RESULTS ARE STILL WHAT THEY ARE. SHOULD THEY MAKE A FEW MOVES OR KEEP SEEING IF THIS NEW SYSTEM PAYS OFF? (@RMLOWRIESTENCIL)
WHAT POSSIBLE OPTIONS DO THE SHARKS TRULY HAVE TO IMPROVE THIS TEAM THIS YEAR? (@TIBURONESTRAVIS)
I wouldn’t expect any drastic moves. Boughner’s adjustments have helped cut down quality scoring chances against in the games against Arizona and St. Louis. But in terms of putting in a 60-minute effort, there needs to be more buy-in from the players.
Per Hockey-Reference. com’s playoff probability chart, the Sharks as of now have a 2.4 percent chance of making the postseason, so I cannot see the team trading future assets to fix what’s wrong. Perhaps players like Joel Kellman and Stefan Noesen can stabilize the fourth line, and I’d like to see this defense when Mario Ferraro and Radim Simek are back healthy. I think Aaron Dell’s going to get more looks here as well.
FROM MY SEATS IT APPEARS THAT EVANDER KANE IS A BIT CHECKED OUT SINCE NOBODY STUCK UP FOR HIM AFTER GETTING CHEAP SHOT. DUE TO FRUSTRATION WITH TEAMMATES (DON’T BLAME), TEAM PERFORMANCE OR INJURY? (@STATBOYSFFL)
I don’t think he’s checked out. He just needs to bury a few more of his chances. Had a pair of great looks against Vegas that he didn’t convert, and he has one goal on a manned net in 18 games. I think since that game against Florida, those issues about sticking up for teammates have been addressed to a certain degree. But the Sharks have no shot if Kane doesn’t find a way to produce on a consistent basis. That goes for future seasons, too. MORE COMMENT THAN QUESTION. HOPE WE ARE NOT HEADED FOR A “REBUILD” LIKE BLACKHAWKS OR KINGS. I’M USED TO THE PLAYOFFS! (@CRAMERDIANE)
IT’S A FRUSTRATING TIME TO BE A SHARKS FAN, THAT’S FOR SURE. DO YOU HAVE ANY GOOD EXAMPLES OF HOW OTHER TEAMS HAVE GONE THROUGH SIMILAR STRUGGLES AND HOW IT PLAYED OUT, FOR GOOD OR BAD? (@ OLOFJ).
I can say that when a team has a top-heavy salary structure like the Sharks do, it affects your depth and your flexibility. The Blackhawks had to pay certain amount of players that led them to multiple Cup championships, and had to let others go. Look at Toronto this year, and the moves they had to make after awarding three or four massive contracts.
Meanwhile. with teams like Boston and Washington and St. Louis, nothing’s too out of whack. Their team salaries are spread out a little more evenly. They have great depth.
Karlsson’s eight-year, $92 million deal eats up 14.47 percent of the $81.5 million of the salary cap. With that, you need players who are making $1 million or less to step in and make an impact. With the exception of Ferraro, that really hasn’t happened. This may take some time to fix.