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Ex-Sharks GM compares recently retired Joe Pavelski to NHL legend
Joe Pavelski announced his retirement from the NHL on July 22 after 18 seasons in the league. Recently, Doug Wilson, former San Jose Sharks general manager, shared his thoughts in a chat with San Jose Hockey Now and drew a parallel between Pavelski and former NHL center Stan Mikita.
“Honestly, it was probably watching him practice,” Wilson said. “This is unfair, but he reminded me of Stan Mikita in many ways. Stan was always curious about how to get better. Stan was so smart and was off the charts when it came to thinking the game. And every day, Stan would do things, would try to get better, try to help me get better.”
Pavelski played with the Sharks for 13 seasons and scored 355 goals and had 406 assists. He became captain in 2015 and led the Sharks to their first Stanley Cup Final that year. Pavelski also represented Team USA in several international tournaments and kept performing well into his 30s.
Doug Wilson also reflects on decision to let Joe Pavelski leave Sharks in 2019
Doug Wilson looked back at Pavelski's time in the NHL and pointed out what set him apart even though teams picked him late in the 2003 draft. He talked about how Pavelski went from being overlooked to becoming a star player in the NHL. He owned up to his mistake, saying he should have tried harder to keep Pavelski around knowing how much he brought to the team.
“We should have found a way to get it done,” Wilson added. “It was a mistake.”
When Joe Pavelski became a free agent in 2019, his age and injury history worried the Sharks, who were also facing a tight salary cap. Wilson admitted he might have let past trends influence his decision, leading to a short-term offer that Pavelski rejected.
“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.”
Pavelski agreed terms with the Dallas Stars and stayed effective, even scoring four goals in the playoffs in 2023. Wilson believes he should not have released him, but at the same time, he is happy for Joe Pavelski.
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