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Sharks owner preaches patience after ’10 years on the sunny side’

Hasso Plattner

Even with the San Jose Sharks off to a disappointing 11-10-4 start, and even with empty seats becoming a common sight at the SAP Center, team owner Hasso Plattner is preaching “patience.”

“After 10 years on the sunny side, we now have to fight to reach the top eight in our conference,” Plattner wrote in an email to the San Jose Mercury News. “Our fans will be with us as long as the team gives its all.”

The Sharks, who haven’t missed the playoffs since 2003, are currently two points out of a postseason position in the Western Conference. The team’s struggles, combined with last season’s playoff collapse, have prompted speculation that coach Todd McLellan could be relieved of his duties.

Plattner, who does not often speak publicly about the team, released a statement in May that said he was “very disappointed” with the club’s playoff loss, but remained in “complete support” of GM Doug Wilson.

The Sharks snapped a four-game winless slide Saturday versus Anaheim. They host the Flyers tomorrow (on NBCSN).