Doug Wilson, San Jose Sharks Not Making Expected Moves

Big changes were expected this offseason for the San Jose Sharks. The continued playoff disappointments could no longer be ignored even after a head coaching change and the best regular season in franchise history. 

The players had their chance and failed. Well respected general manager Doug Wilson said he would take his time to decide on personnel changes and not act out of rage after being ousted in the first round by the hated Anaheim Ducks. 

But Wilson, the Sharks' first captain in club history, did make it clear that once his fury subsided nothing would be off the table in looking at what needed to be done to try to fix the Sharks' recurring postseason ineptitude.

And let me tell you, the Tank faithful was calling for blood. Hell, I was. But lost in all the dejected flailing of Sharks fans was that there were no really good answers out there.

Was it going to be the oft-questioned captain Patrick Marleau, as many suspected, to be dealt? Not so far. 

Would the Sharks make some noise at the NHL Draft by making a play for disgruntled Senators winger Dany Heatley? Never a murmur of such.

So surely, at the opening of the Free Agency on Wednesday the Sharks would be major players right? Think again. 

Other than Rob Blake coming back and re-signing defenseman Kent Huskins, who never suited up for the Sharks after being acquired from Anaheim last season, Wilson has made no headlines.

Wilson has said that anywhere between seven and nine roster changes were in store. It's becoming clear who's in and who's out but it also looks a lot like the same team that was didn't show up at times against the Ducks.

I was at Game Four in Anaheim and it was perhaps the Sharks' worst playoff performance I'd ever seen. A shake-up among the players was needed. Obviously, bringing in players who have Stanley Cups on their resumes didn't have the desired effect.

Ryan Clowe has re-signed and Torry Mitchell was given a qualifying offer so he'll be back. Both exhibit gritty games which is an element missing during the playoffs. 

Otherwise it's a matter of who won't be back, a list that includes Marcel Goc, Mike Grier, Tomas Plihal, and Lukas Kaspar. Jeremy Roenick and Travis Moen are also likely goners.

With Joe Thornton, Marleau, Devin Setoguchi, Clowe, Joe Pavelski, and Milan Michalek making up the presumed top six forwards there will be little room for newcomers. Unless someone gets traded. Only Thornton and Dan Boyle were deemed untouchable by Wilson.

The rest of the forwards under contract are Cheechoo, Brad Staubitz, Torrey Mitchell, Jody Shelley, and Jamie McGinn. A sturdy group sure, but enough skill to compete for a Cup? I don't think so. Who knows how much more of Tom Cavanaugh or Ryan Vesce we'll see either.

So who's going to fill these now open spots? And where are they going to come from now that most of the upper-tier free agents have been snapped up?

Thomas Kopecky, Chris Neil or Vern Fiddler are all players I think would have been a good fit in teal but all are now signed. 

Another question is where Jonthan Cheechoo fits into coach Todd McLellan's scheme. So far it's been hit and miss with Cheechoo being dinged up and playing on the checking line which limited scoring chances. 

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