Job Security

Ron Wilson could have turned in his letter of resignation on the way to the podium. Speaking after San Jose's 3rd consecutive premature playoff exit, the head coach sounded like a lousy businessman clinging to his job after botching a big deal:

"We should be rejoicing in how solid our team is"

"[Getting fired is] all irrelevant. You look at my record, it's second to none, literally, in the sport, so I'm not even worried about that,"

"We've accomplished more since I've been here than any other team in the league except win the Stanley Cup."

In Ron Wilson's final act with the team, his quotes encapsulated the 2003-20008 San Jose Sharks perfectly - Solid but never spectacular, using yesterday's accomplishments to justify today's failures, and always coming oh-so-close-but-not-really. Wilson became just like his team, willing to say anything to keep his job.

Wilson should know a thing or two about job security - it was a luxury he never afforded his players. On his line shuffling from earlier this season:

"What I'm responsible for is putting us in a position to win. If a line isn't holding up its end of the bargain, they're not entitled to continue to play together."

He's right. Ownership is responsible for putting the team in a position to win. If the general manager, players, and coach aren't holding up their end of the bargain, they're not entitled to continue to work together, regardless of how talented each is.

Wilson may be a great coach, but he should know best, even the greats get bumped off the top line sometimes.