If you read my post yesterday I preached that the Sharks were not that far off in the West with the roster they have right now. I also said that the next ten games (nine now) are extremely important, and they still are. While losing to Buffalo, again, shouldn't write this team off things certainly look bleak right now for team teal.
I stand by my previous statements that this is a talented group of players that should be significantly higher in the standings.
However, I’m not blind to the fact that something has to give. The core that has been successful is still here and there are serviceable pieces on the roster that make you wonder how they could perform so inconsistent and, well, just plain awful on a regular basis.
The misuse of players and amount of one-way contracts to ineffective veterans have handcuffed this team this year and that’s not the players’ fault. The finger points squarely in the face of Doug Wilson and Todd McLellan.
We all know how the food chain works in the NHL: GM starts to sweat, fires head coach as his last stand, ownership waits for a slip up to fire GM.
Now is the time to put those wheels in motion.
The Sharks have played 16 of the first 21 games on the road; not an ideal schedule for any hockey team let alone a team plagued with dysfunction and marred with questions heading into the season. That shouldn’t be an excuse for their poor start. The schedule has been out for quite some time and everyone knew how important the start was.
Doug Wilson was unwilling to back up his “change” talk in the off-season so now it might be time for ownership to make change for him. I’m not convinced he will fire McLellan anytime soon because they have such a good relationship with each other. Todd was Doug’s hire and he seems more inclined to join the world consensus and blame Joe Thornton for anything and everything.
Joe can’t sign players or acquire players, Doug. That’s on you. You brought in Burish and Scott. You kept Hannan. You didn’t seek help via free agency. The players on the roster can’t coach themselves either. 20/37 don’t decide to put themselves in the lineup or jump over the boards when they feel like it. McLellan makes those decisions.
Pairings are undesirable and nothing was done to bring in additional help on the blueline in the off-season when everyone knew this team may struggle on the back end, although no one could have predicted just how much they would struggle.
Despite what people around the league may think, the Sharks have a strong and faithful fan-base, in the top half of the league, that doesn’t deserve to watch the disappointing, dejected and disinterested performances and decisions play on repeat all year long.
The phantom locker-room rifts that the staff leaked during the off-season were rebutted with several players voicing their opinions that 19/12 are still leaders, resulting in the ‘A’ on each of their sweaters. There may or may not be a rift in the locker room but, right now, if there was I’d say it’s more between players and coaches as opposed to players vs players.
There’s a shorted wire on the chemistry circuit of this team. The job just isn’t getting done right now. The Sharks are heading home for 11 of the next 13 games and if they can’t turn their season around in that span then they will have dug themselves a hole that might not be climbable.
I’d wager a guess that Wilson is feeling the pressure. How could you not? But I’d also guess that he’s willing to give his friend the next 13 games to get this season turned around to avoid firing him. Is it the right call? I don’t think so; I think McLellan’s time in San Jose has run its course, but it’s what I’d bet is going to happen.
The decision may cost San Jose their season but if things don’t change in the next 13 games, in my opinion, Doug Wilson has no choice but to give Todd McLellan his walking papers. Conversely, the only way Doug Wilson should remain in his position beyond this season is if he starts the firing cycle and acquires defensive help.
The coach and GM should be feeling the water start to boil underneath those comfy, common sense blocking seats of theirs.
Thanks for reading.
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»