As a San Jose Sharks hockey fan, I am in deep mourning. The great whites have once again stepped down after the second round. They played hard, and had a nice almost comeback from being down 3 games to none in round two against Dallas. But they did not get past that. Again.
This team shows time and time again they have the guys who can play - speed, size, youth (for the most part), and experience - but they fail to win the big one. They have shown they can have a great power play, and a great penalty kill, but cannot seem to do both at the same time. When the Sharks play aggressively, they win. But they spend more time waiting for things to come to them defensively. Or they try to make the cheesy pass instead of putting the puck to the net, and pound the crease for the rebound / tip in.
Many experts have picked them to win THE Cup the last couple of years, but no. Is it due to Wilson's system? Is it due to how he gets along (or does not) with his players? Is it due to the constant line changes? Unfortunately, that proved extremely invaluable in Game 6 when Milan Michalek went out at the end of the third period, and they played three plus overtime periods one man short on the bench.
I believe that Ron Wilson definitely has to go. Four plus seasons to the second or third round (Conference Finals the first full year, then three straight years only getting to the second round) is impressive. But they have hit the wall, and can get no further. And we have seen many reasons why they do not.
Tim Hunter or Rob Zettler can keep the good parts of what they do going, and improve on what they don't. Maybe even add Roenick as the 3rd coach next season (or even player/coach, provided he does retire as planned) and move Hunter or Zettler to head coach. Sorry, but Ron Wilson must go as head coach.
Remember, Ron Wilson had plenty of his Capitals team fall short of expectations. He did get them to the Cup Finals in '98 though, before they were just brushed aside by the Red Wings. The Sharks are kind of like the Indy Colts before they finally won one. Tons of talent, but they can't seem to put it together when it matters the most. The Sharks have it all on paper, but of course championships aren't won on paper. Maybe they can't take the weight of expectations. Maybe there is noboby that clutches up and leads them when they are back against it. I don't know. It's a mystery this team has achieved further yet.
The sharks break my heart too... I lived out there when they first got the team and built the pavillion. Went to a lot of games when I lived ten minutes from the arena.
I think you may be right about the coach, but I would also look at the players leadership. The C & the A's just are not getting them over the hump...
But my Red Wings always come first, so I'm just glad the sharks are out of our way as we move on!
HEY, AS DUCKS FAN, I ALWAYS ROOT FOR THE SHARKS IF MY QUACKERS AREN'T IN IT. (sorry for caps) I am a little puzzled...they have under-achieved for a while. I thought they would take the Cup this year. It's hard to boot a head coach who has had his team in the play-offs for 4 consecutive years, but not the FINALS. Good luck with that.
Yep, it's time. His system allows for no flowing offense (no cross-ice passing, no movement in the slot, no movement in front of the net - just park there and hope for the best, everything is played from the boards, etc. etc.). He bullies the players, regardless of whether that's the best way to get the best out of that particular player. He changes the lines right when the existing linemates have a feel for each other, which just results in poor passing and turnovers in the neutral zone (see first few games vs. Flames). And to top it off, he has consistently praised Erhoff, and played him for 20+ minutes, while anyone who watched this season should know that Erhoff is constantly out of position, let's the big plays go by him, and gets penalties at exactly the wrong time. The sharks need to keep the D system that Ron has set up, but get someone who is willing to open the offense and work WITH the players.
I totally agree that it is time for Ron Wilson to go. We looked pathetic in most of the games against Calgary and followed it up with more poor game planning and execution in the Dallas series. These players have way too much talent to cycle in the defensive zone and turn over the puck in front of Nabby. Oh and yes plese trade Erhoff he is abysmal.
The biggest problem is the same one that the sharks have had for years. They do not have a #1 or #2 defenseman. Lots of second and third liners but never the big ####ing consistent get the puck out dman. Hopefully they will try to find a 1 or 2 to take the pressure off their young players and allow them to develop
All great points and yes it's time for Wilson to go. Lisa, yes they have been to the playoffs four straight years. That is a tremendous stat.
However, I have to give a nod to thesupposedbuckles on his Colts analogy. Perfect description. All that talent, regular playoff appearances, and a conference finals (AFC championship game) appearance (multiple time for the Colts) but nothing to really show for it all.
The Sharks are a boring, grinding offense that cannot consistently put enough pucks in the net to win playoff games. Period. It's time for a new system and new bench boss.
