Ex-Sharks GM Doug Wilson admits to major error in judgement

The career of one of the best American-born National Hockey League players in recent memory has come to a close, as Joe Pavelski announced that he'd be hanging up the skates after 18 seasons split between the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars. 

The 7th round selection in the 2003 NHL Draft by the Sharks would go on to play in 963 games in a San Jose uniform, scoring 355 goals and 406 assists while eventually earning the captaincy. But in the summer of 2019 with the two sides reportedly "nowhere close" to a contract extension, Pavelski instead took his talents to the Dallas Stars, where he would play the rest of his career. 

Pavelski enjoyed continued production with the Stars, scoring a total of 121 goals and 186 assists in four seasons. And during a recent interview, former Sharks general manager Doug Wilson admitted to erroring by not re-signing him. 

"Sometimes, you can overanalyze things," Wilson said. "But I, as a GM, with my love for Pavs and realizing how special he was, I look back, I probably should have dismissed historical analysis of contracts for players that age and said screw it."

"I was the GM. I take full responsibility," Wilson said. "I wish I'd just said, you know what, he is that aberration? He proved that he is."

Instead, Wilson gave a hefty contract extension to defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has since been traded away to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"Joe Pavelski is a player that we should be so proud of that we had the good fortune of getting him and having him as long as we did," Wilson said. "Pav beat all the odds … getting drafted in the seventh round and playing at the level he did until he was 40," Wilson said.

"I said, I tip my hat to you and am so amazed by everything that you've accomplished. It's not surprising. I wish, in hindsight, we would have kept him," Wilson said.

Recommended articles:

• Pavelski shares heartfelt message with fans as he retires.
• Benn, Seguin and Pavelski tear up stage at Benn's wedding.
• Joe Pavelski officially retires after 17 seasons in the NHL
• Joe Pavelski announces his retirement today
• An emotional Joe Pavelski finally responds to retirement rumors