Sharks’ struggles mean changes loom
What should the Sharks reasonably expect from their final 32 games besides missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs for just the second time in 16 years?
The question whether general manager Doug Wilson need worry about his job security was put to rest Thursday when team owner Hasso Plattner issued a vote of confidence in a statement released by the team.
Clearly, Wilson convinced Plattner he has a plan to put San Jose on track following what has been a disappointing season for all involved. Plattner’s support suggests Wilson is free to do what he feels is best for the franchise at the Feb. 24 trade deadline, execute his summer strategy and assemble the team he hopes will hit a reset button in the fall.
In the meantime, here’s what’s up for evaluation before the seasons ends April 4.
Coaching staff. Whether fair or not, does it make sense for
Bob Boughner to have the interim tag removed and return as head coach after a nonplayoff finish? It’s not his fault the roster is flawed, and he was asked to pick up when the team was already behind the 8ball without the benefit of running a training camp and instituting his system from the start.
The pool of available coaches will be deep. It already boasts proven winners Peter Laviolette, Mike Babcock and Gerard Gallant. Wilson & Co. may want to make a statement for 202021, and the first step is putting a proven winner behind the bench along with a staff of more experienced assistants than what the Sharks cobbled together after firing
Peter DeBoer and three others on Dec. 11.
The roster. Oh, there will be changes. To me, only four forwards are safe — Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Evander
Kane and Timo Meier. For one reason or another, the look will be quite different up front. The team needs to inject speed, skill, youth and depth.
It might be the end for 40yearold franchise icons Joe
Thornton and Patrick Marleau, though the team will be in an awkward spot if either voice a strong desire to return. Feels like the fans have a say in this, too. And there’s not enough to suggest the current role players will find their way back, though Barclay Goodrow has impressed with his versatility. On defense, Erik Karlsson,
Brent Burns and Marc
Edouard Vlasic are signed longterm with differing nomove clauses. Does Wilson’s plan include a provision to move one for a decent return?
Brenden Dillon figures to be a casualty of the trade deadline considering his pending unrestricted status and the fact he’ll be a desired commodity by playoffbound teams. He should bring a high pick in return, though not a firstrounder. And what to do in goal? Aar
on Dell is now the deserved No. 1, and he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. The bigger concern is whether Martin Jones has enough time to prove he’s still the longterm solution, especially considering he’s under contract for four more years.
The room. This one’s tricky. Changes are certainly in store, and it’s hard to predict what kind of chemistry will result. The feeling in this locker room is different from the recent past. The bar was high during
Joe Pavelski’s run as captain, and forged by the success of playing 60 playoff games during DeBoer’s tenure.
There’s a theory that jealousy seeped in when Kane and Karlsson were acquired and signed to max longterm deals in short order while a hard line was drawn on Marleau and Pavelski, who both walked when they couldn’t get threeyear offers from San Jose.
The current leadership group is still considered strong. Couture is a fine captain, and he has capable and strong support. This shouldn’t be hard to repair, but it can’t be swept under the rug either.
Veteran accountability. This is a big one. And it’s hard to ascertain unless you’re privy to behindcloseddoor conversations and how everyone interacts. Karlsson, Burns, Vlasic, Kane, Couture and Jones are signed to longterm deals. A couple are set for life. Can the flawed roster be blamed for a dip in production for the entire group? Or has a comfort level crept in thanks to financial security? If someone’s guilty, everyone on the inside already knows.
The fans. Is dwindling attendance a concern? Can the Sharks afford to raise ticket prices? Should they be cut? Seasonticket renewals will certainly take a hit after a nonplayoff season. And don’t discount fans who take their sports dollar up the road to Santa Clara where — regardless whether they win the Super Bowl or not — the 49ers are perceived winners again. As of Thursday, Jonathan
Becher is the team’s sole president and he’ll need to have a keen eye on marketing. That department will have to be at its creative best in terms of promotions and perks for the fans who opt to stick with the Sharks through thin and more thin.
It’s going to be an interesting couple of months despite the lack of suspense to how the season will turn out.