Inside the Cage: Wilson's Impressive Track Record

Several months into his first year as general manager, and with the Sharks trailing at 40 minutes on the road, Doug Wilson sat between the two traveling newspaper beat writers.
San Jose rallied with a strong third period before ultimately losing. But the ever-superstitious Wilson made it a habit to sit between the two writers for the remaining of his team's road games all the way through Game 3 of the Western Conference against Calgary.
Wilson has learned a lot since those early days since being named the team's top decision-maker on May 13, 2003. One thing that has not changed during his
1,100 games as San Jose's GM
is he believes in what he is doing, and he always puts the franchise first.
"Doug does things his way and doesn't worry about what others say," former hockey executive Wayne Thomas said not long ago after spending 22 years with the Sharks. "And it's hard to argue with his track record."

Let's take a look at that track record.
All that unwavering success does not happen without a consistent pipeline of talent stocking and re-stocking the roster. Wilson has overseen that part of the equation through the draft, player acquisitions and free-agent signings.
Taking a look at just the current roster, no less than half of the every-day regulars were original draft picks by San Jose, and the Sharks have displayed success regardless of what round they select.
With director of scouting Tim Burke working in conjunction with Wilson at the draft table, the Sharks struck it big especially in 2003 with the late selection of current captain Joe Pavelski (seventh round, 205th overall), 2007 first-round choice Logan Couture (ninth overall) and the second-round selection of defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (35th overall) in 2005.
The others include Justin Braun (seventh round in 2007), Tomas Hertl (17th overall in 2012), Timo Meier (ninth overall in 2015), Chris Tierney (second round in 2012), Dylan DeMelo (sixth round in 2011), Joakim Ryan (seventh round in 2012) and Kevin Labanc (sixth round in 2014).
Wilson has been aggressive in the trade market, too. He's made a number of key deals over the years that include:
And while the free-agent market has become less of a priority with the importance placed on drafting, developing and fitting everyone under the salary cap, Wilson still has used the free market wisely.
Current Sharks who were signed as free agents include Joonas Donskoi, Aaron Dell, Melker Karlsson, Mikkel Boedker, Joel Ward, Paul Martin, Marcus Sorensen, Tim Heed and Barclay Goodrow.
Wilson's vision of strengthening the organization's player development became reality before last season as - with the support of team owner Hasso Plattner - the top minor-league team relocated from Worcester, Mass., to become the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League.
"He's one of the best GM's and hockey minds in the game," NBC analyst and former Shark Jeremy Roenick said. "When you have a personality like his, and you have the knowledge, you team everything together and there's nothing he can't do."