CrypTic
Registered User
- Oct 2, 2013
- 5,069
- 81
Basically, he's not trying to win. He'll let them play with what they have, but he's not going to invest ANY equity in this team right now. If he could steal a good player for next to nothing of course he's going to do that, that's just smart asset management.
I agree with this. The question is why.
The answer will come at the deadline. One of these things will happen:
. . . .
Basically, the telling sign will be if at the deadline the Sharks have not locked up a playoff spot and Wilson starts selling. If he does that, he's clearly trying to get rid of Thornton. If they have locked up a spot and he doesn't add, he clearly has no confidence in the roster and is sticking to his guns until Thornton is gone.
Now, if he does start filling holes at some point, he's changed his mind and decided to go for it, but I think that time is past. Too many holes to fill, too much turn over mid season.
I also question if DW will sell or buy at the TDL if we're in scenarios 2 or 3, which I think are the most likely. I.e., likely to make the playoffs but not go far or possibly fighting for a playoff spot.
What I don't know is how much of this is DW and how much is Plattner. Anyone have any insight into that?
I think there's a good chance that DW's job is on the line and I'm not sure how much he'd be willing to risk that to "win" a psychological battle with Thornton (if that's what is going on).
It seems that there is a spending cap this year. But how much, if any, $$$ will there be at the TDL? If there is a low cap, DW's hands may be tied with respect to buying at the TDL. If it's not all that low, DW may be saving salary now in order to try to acquire good players at the TDL if we are in a situation where that would be warranted (e.g., players and $$$ available for a deeper cup run, players and $$ available to make the playoffs if we're just outside it or at risk of losing a playoff spot).
I'm not ruling out the possibility that some of this is a psychological game between DW and Thornton. But I think some of the questionable decisions may be because of what may be going on between DW and Plattner.