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San Jose Sharks Stick Up For Head Coach Todd McLellan

By Catherine Silverman

Nov 16, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan look on from the bench during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan look on from the bench during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Jose Sharks players see no reason why head coach Todd McLellan would get the boot

These tweets came on the heels of San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan openly admitting that his job being in danger was a ‘reality’.

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With the team slipping farther and farther out of playoff contention early on, it comes as no surprise that McLellan is one of the coaches around the league regarded as being in ‘the hot seat’. Many assumed he even started out the season already in hot water; after the team’s iconic collapse in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, this was considered a ‘do or die’ year for the franchise.

Understandably — with both Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton nearing the ends of their careers, it baffles NHL fans as to how the two elite players haven’t won a cup in San Jose yet. 

The league’s murmurs turned to a dull roar on Tuesday, though, when Elliotte Friedman started off his ’30 Thoughts’ column with reports that sources had confirmed interaction between Sharks GM Doug Wilson and former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma. It was following this column that the players went to bat for the coach. 

As an objective observer, I’m inclined to agree with the players. Todd McLellan is saddled with the tough task of bringing together a ‘transition’ San Jose roster; the team is stuck between the Thornton/Marleau era and that of a new generation, including such players as Wingels, Vlasic, Logan Couture, and Tomas Hertl. 

Whether the team’s front office is as understanding of the position McLellan is in, though, remains to be seen. Last season’s end alludes to this year being the final straw — should the Sharks fall early in the playoffs (or, worse yet, miss them altogether), it could be a new coaching era by the draft.

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