San Jose Sharks: Majority Owner Hasso Plattner Releases Statement

Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan instructs against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This afternoon the majority owner of the San Jose Sharks, Hasso Plattner, released a statement regarding his talks with general manager Doug Wilson. The talks were no doubt regarding the future of the franchise including the general manager himself. Many also thought head coach Todd McLellan could be on the chopping block, but this statement may suggest otherwise. Here is the link, but you can also see read it below.

"“I am very disappointed in the way our team finished the 2013-14 season. Gaining a 3-0 series advantage and being unable to advance is a major blow to our organization and fan base. Our teams have been consistently built to go deep into the playoffs and this goal won’t change.Doug Wilson and I have met over the past two weeks. He has shared his support of the coaching staff, as well as his recommended changes to our team’s roster, and he has my complete support moving forward.I want to thank our extremely loyal fans and partners for their continued support and to let them know that we are not satisfied with the status quo of the last several seasons.I am confident that with the proposed changes, Doug and his staff will build a team we can all be proud of.”"

The biggest line in this statement has to be the last one that acknowledges “Doug Wilson and his staff” leading us to believe that Wilson’s job is safe. Whether that staff includes McLellan or not is a different question, though Wilson voiced his support of the San Jose head coach shortly after their first-round collapse. Some are saying it’s a done deal that McLellan stays with the San Jose Sharks for at least another year.

Right after the reverse sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings many fans were clamoring for major changes and that may still be possible. However, it seems those changes will not occur at the coaching level. This does tell us that Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and other are not safe from changes to the roster.

It seems the offseason will get more interesting for the San Jose Sharks as it progresses, but at least for now there are not major shakeups.