from Paul Gackle of the Mercury News,

General manager Doug Wilson appeared to be a dead man walking as the Sharks wrapped up their first non-playoff season in more than a decade last spring,

The fans reacted negatively when he labeled the squad a "tomorrow team" after its 2014 collapse in the playoffs. A perceived public spat with ex-captain Joe Thornton last March threw another stain on his reputation. At the end of the team's final home game on April 6, 2015, "Fire Doug Wilson" chants filled the SAP Center.

Despite the outside noise, owner Hasso Plattner stuck by Wilson, a move that's paying off as the Sharks prepare for their second-round playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks or Nashville Predators.

With four quality lines and three solid defensive pairings, Thornton is convinced this year's Sharks team is the deepest he's played on.

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