San Jose Sharks Sign Vlasic to Four Year Deal

Finally, the San Jose Sharks do something right, as far as contracts and trades go. The team has locked down stable defenseman Mark-Edouard Vlasic on a four-year, $12.4 million contract extension, set to start after this coming season.

Vlasic, affectionately known as “Pickles” on the team (his name is exactly the same as Vlasic, the well-known pickles manufacturer), is only 21-years-old, but is a top defenseman in the league. He’s been with the Sharks since the start of his NFL career, in 2005. He was a second round draft pick, and debuted a year later.

The Sharks have relied on him consistantly since 2006, but last year he was an integral part of the team, playing 82 games and posting 14 points (2-12). He averaged 21:36 of ice time. In his 163 career games with the Sharks, he has five goals and 40 points.

Sharks Fire Coach Ron Wilson

Well, the Sharks finally did it. They let go of their Head Coach Ron Wilson. Some may ask why, especially after the season they had. They did make it to the second round of the playoffs and put up a hell of a fight in game 5, going into a fourth overtime. And honestly, although they got a slow start to the season, especially at home, they picked it up in the second half.

But, there are other factors that have to be observed. The Sharks have one of the best rosters in the NHL, theoretically, they should be dominating on all fronts. Why is it, that this team, can never make it past the second round of playoffs, that they have games where they seem like the don’t even want to play and why is it, that such a strong team, just can’t seem to get it together?

In the end, I think the one thing that has drug them down for so long is Wilson. Without a great coach, how can you expect to go anywhere? The fact of the matter is, that for the talent that the Sharks have, they should’ve had a much better season then they did, they should still be in the playoffs.

The decision to let Wilson go was a smart one. Although he has the most wins in the history of any other coach with the Sharks, he fails to get them motivated, and the Sharks always get out-coached in the playoffs.