By no means am I trying to offer my opinion on this topic but instead giving some insight on what could be both beneficial for the Sharks and McLellan if he is asked to leave San Jose. At the same time I want to address how this decision could go wrong in a hurry. Colleague Andrew Bensch has his own thoughts on the current usage of the Sharks personnel by coach Todd McLellan but I would like to outline the potential pros and cons of firing the longest tenured bench boss in Sharks history.
History
McLellan came over from Detroit after winning a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach under Mike Babcock and planned on instituting the puck possession style of play in San Jose. He inherited arguably the one of the best Sharks teams in 2009, after the acquisitions of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake. From the years of 2009-2011 the Sharks boasted one of the best forward lineups in the NHL and easily had their best defensive core in franchise history. After San Jose won the President’s trophy they suffered a devastating collapse in 2009 at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Just one round into the playoffs and after a record-breaking season the Sharks were bounced from the playoffs, by a division rival no less.
That summer Patrick Marleau was removed of the captaincy and it was given to now hall-of-fame defensemen Rob Blake. Sniper Dany Heatley was acquired that summer and the Sharks would make it to the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, the Sharks would lose to the Chicago Blackhawks in a mere four games. The next summer San Jose grabbed Antti Niemi, the Blackhawks Stanley Cup winning goaltender, and hoped he would change their fortunes. All that changed was the amount of games played and the team that the Sharks lost to, the Vancouver Canucks.
Many things have been blamed on those playoff losses; goal-tending, injuries, player performances, but overall the Sharks were not the better team. One thing that did not help was the fact that Christian Erhroff was traded for next to nothing before the 2010 season to clear cap space for Dany Heatley. While it may have been a necessary trade it was not necessary for San Jose to give up a franchise defensemen for pennies. The Sharks defense, while impressive when comparing franchise history was one of the reasons as to why the Sharks were not able to compete with the Blackhawks or Canucks.
Despite setting so many regular season records and having arguably the best Sharks teams in history Todd McLellan was unable to take the Sharks any farther than Ron Wilson did back in 2004. A feat he managed directly after the departure of veterans Owen Nolan, Teemu Selanne, Marcus Ragnarsson and Bryan Marchment. Of course McLellan, managed to keep the product on the ice among the top-notch teams in the NHL and even on and off night were good enough to win games against anyone. While he may be remembered for what was not accomplished McLellan most certainly is not to blame for these failures.
Decline
Because the Sharks were so good for so long they weren’t going to fall off a cliff. Expecting Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and company to simply break down was not feasible. The reason why the Detroit Red Wings never went through a complete rebuild was because they were ready to replace Yzerman, Lidstrom and Shanahan with Zetterburg, Datsyuk and Kronwall. Concurrently, the Sharks have groomed players to replace their now departed veterans such as Ryane Clowe, Devin Setoguchi, and Dan Boyle. Regrettably imitation of the most successful franchise of the past two decades is not an exact science. It’s questionable if Doug Wilson has even truly embraced this idea up until a few seasons ago. The Sharks did go multiple seasons without a first round pick and did not start getting younger until the 2013 season.
In 2012, the Sharks were bounced from the playoffs in five games, a new franchise record. They also played a small role in the Los Angeles Kings miraculous run to the Stanley Cup, two memories they would like to forget. A year later they managed a mere two wins in February and barely squeaked into the playoffs thanks to the stellar play of Antti Niemi. After some much-needed revenge over the Canucks they would lose to the Kings in seven games. Of course this was not the worst of it as most Sharks fans know. Making history yet again the Sharks lost for the second year in a row to the Kings this time after taking a 3-0 lead. The rest is history but the summer would be filled with speculation, another stripped captaincy, curious organizational moves and a fever of weekly announcements made by Doug Wilson.
Present Day
After six seasons in San Jose, McLellan has had no more success than Ron Wilson and endured far more disappointment. Of course Doug Wilson has been around for all of these disappointments too. Many fans and hockey personalities have blamed the Sharks “chokes” on some of his roster moves and trades. Some argue that Wilson is the problem while others focus on McLellan’s recent coaching tactics. The rest who do not think everything is a-okay in San Jose think that both should go especially after the tumultuous summer.
Through the 2015 season the Sharks have not played well. Actually that is an understatement, the San Jose Sharks look bad. Missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade bad. Possibly in the Connor McDavid race bad if circumstances persist bad. Eight of the past ten games the Sharks have been held under three goals. Almost every player on the team is on pace to perform worse than the previous year. The Sharks are still without a captain and are within an arms reach of their horrific 2006 start to the season of 20 points in their first 24 games. Luckily, the Sharks were able to swing for the fences and acquire Joe Thornton which changed the entire season around that year. It is questionable whether or not Doug Wilson can pull off that same magic.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
I am a firm believer in learning from history. In 2002, the San Jose Sharks won their division for the first time franchise history. A year later they got off to a horrific start and missed the playoffs. Along the way the Sharks fired Darryl Sutter, traded captain Owen Nolan and eventually parted ways with GM Dean Lombardi. They hired Sharks alumni Doug Wilson as the new GM, Ron Wilson as the new coach and put their faith in young stars Jonathan Cheechoo, Niko Dimitrakos and Christian Erhroff.
The 2004 season may have been due to hard work, a fluke or both but one thing is for sure the new faces changed the mentality of the franchise. It could happen again in San Jose if Todd McLellan and/or Doug Wilson are fired. Not only would it make for a clean slate in the dressing room but it would also abolish all of the weird and strange things said over the 2014 off-season. The Sharks could move forward and stop thinking about anything off the ice.
Still firing a coach or GM can also lead to a never-ending landslide effect that destroys a franchise from the inside out. You can look around the NHL and see the constant revolving door that has hurt some teams such as Washington. Mind you the Capitals were a team that also won the President’s trophy then lost in the first round and ever since they have been a floundering franchise. In a recent interview players defended their coach against the recent rumors.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic- “I like Todd. I really do. He’s a great coach, really nice to the guys, hard on them when he needs to be, For me, I think he’s been great. I wouldn’t want to see him go.” via Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News.
Tommy Wingels- “We’re the players on the ice. We’re the ones who are responsible for what happens, and like I said, those reports irritate us as a team. I don’t think they’re warranted.” via Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News.
Firing Todd McLellan could be that first domino that leads to desolation of the Sharks winning ways. Players like Thornton, Pavelski, Vlasic and Couture may want out of San Jose. This in turn could lead to less sponsorship deals and also less fan support. The Sharks are already facing lower than normal ticket sales this season. Combine all of these factors with the Sharks current television deal problem and the recent alienation of fans through questionable marketing tactics. It makes for a perfect storm.
It may be true that NHL players are professionals but they are also human. Jealousy, anger and pettiness can cloud anyone’s judgement including a hockey player making millions of dollars. Firing Todd McLellan may be the right move for San Jose but if the players are so quick to defend him it could further divide the organization. In any case the Sharks certainly are going nowhere good unless changes are made.
- What do you think, should Todd McLellan be fired?
- Is Doug Wilson the one to be blamed?
- Should they both be fired?
- Or is there a lot more wrong in San Jose than the coach and GM?
He should have been fired years ago. I have watched him mismanage the team and just keep them in the same old rut forever it seems. he is a good coach but in the wrong city.
I completely agree with MarkD. The Sharks have taken on the attitude of Thornton. He may be a great player but he is not a great leader ! Lately, he seems the most disinterested of all. Neither he or Marleau can lead a team. The rest of the team are “passive” players, not the type of gritty, tough nosed types that Can carry a team deep into the playoffs. Can’t really say I blame T-Mac. The Sharks have shown a lack of heart for years now. Not his fault that he inherited these guys. However, T-Mac’s constant juggling of lines has not brought any results and probably led to more confusion among the players.
Seems to me that a complete culture change is needed in San Jose. This won’t be easy and will take time, more than one season. This means a change from the top, from the GM on down. Someone who will put team results above player personalities.
Media creating drama and adding fuel to the Sharks fire..let it be and find another more viable story line. good grief
Can’t argue with that, but as a hockey fan it is only natural to talk about the “hot topics.” Last season it was the Ninja Hertl and Vlasic earning Norris talk, this season…well nothing is positive.
He should have been fired years ago. It is easy to see he does not mesh well with that team. Good coach in the wrong city.
Tmac= yes man, that needs to sack up and slap the $hit outa the 2 lazyasses, Dumbo and Marshmarleu.
Dwilson=used car salesman with his used car sales pitches.
All talk no action club.
Sharks management goal is high ticket prices for the Siicoan Vally and merchandisesales. Obviously Drew Remnd asn’t the problem. Problem is management there too they got ri of im for the compa men that try and sell us the product now.
…this core group along with the new guys should have quickly coalesced into the kind of team capable of honing itself into a strong playoff force having learned something from that playoff loss…
…not so much…
…everybody here is talking moves, trades &/or firings…other than burnsie back at forward & a hiring or trade for a good d-man, I see this as firmly on the players shoulders & whether it’s accepting more responsibility or the exact opposite, unburdening the weight of last season, these guys have to get this turned around…
…do we have a top notch sports psychologist on board ???…this is the same strong team, along with a few new additions, that has been perpetually amongst the best in the league during the regular season & now they’re floundering because of an admittedly crushing playoff loss ???…
…clear out the brain cells, not the bench or who’s behind it…
I blame Wilson more than McLellan though both bear some responsibility. For McLellan I just don’t understand loading up the first power play line with all the talent and nothing on the second line. Essentially that give you a one minute (sometimes a little more) power play because there is little chance the second line of guys like Hertl, Wingels, and Kennedy are going to score if the loaded first line doesn’t. Now for Wilson. Stood pat at the trade deadline last year, stood pat (except signing John Scott) while Boyle and Stuart walked away leaving their defense woefully short on depth. They’ve been fortunate so far that none of their key players have had injuries like many of the other contenders. (Sorry, Torres and Brown don’t count as “key”) If they had two or three of the top six go down they would struggle to make the playoffs. We saw what happened when just Vlasic missed games last year in the Kings playoff series. What do you think would happen is Vlasic and someone like Pavelski missed a couple of weeks? The lack of quality depth is on Wilson and it most likely will be the reason if the Sharks fail to get to the postseason this year.
So glad I got rid of my season ticket this year. It’s hard to watch.
The real question is who will be let go first, Jim Harbaugh or TMac? Both partings are long overdue.
Just discovered this site… I love the discussion on the Sharks so far.
The Sharks will NEVER go anywhere until they find a leader other than Thornton and Marleau. They both are great players but need to play a secondary role in carrying the team. Sadly Couture, Pavelski and crew are not cutout to lead as well. They all are great guys who you’d probably want to marry your daughter, but they don’t play with the edge required to put it all on the line for the team – every night. Thornton tends to “cruise” out there and the team takes on his personality. McClellan really doesn’t matter. This team won’t win for any coach. Scotty Bowman couldn’t win with this team.
For this – Wilson needs to go. Period. He thinks adding a bit player here or there will change the outcome. How’s that worked out so far?
i say, let both go. team is depressed, same people who played a beautiful hockey can’t make a pass, can’t shoot the puck, can’t block and lose the puck right in front of the goalie. both the gm and the coach have proven over and over they have no cure for this depression. they only aggravate it with their oersonnel and game mistakes. why keep them?
Toughest start in league history with travel, no practice and still a wining record coming back. Stop worrying so much. The playoffs are 60 games away. It’s tough to watch now but wait for the other teams to catch up in terms of travel and then we’ll see. After so much success and with the injuries they’ve dealt with, particularly on their defensive players in the playoffs and with Boyle, give them a chance. Too many people too quick with the axe. Don’t be too quick to chop off the limb, let the thing heal.
Wilson should have been let go a long time ago! I say let him go, and give Todd another season to see if he can motivate this team, if not then he’s out on his arse
The bottom line is the players aren’t performing to their potential. They’re unmotivated to do so and it’s easy management as the reason. The Sharks are loaded with talent but one can never tell if it will show up. It’s infuriating to the fans and something has to change. Plenty of players have changed so perhaps it’s time to go up the ladder.
The sad truth is both Patrick Marleau and Joe Thorton are no shows during the playoffs. Boston knew this when they let Thorton go. Todd Mclellan has no say in letting either of these players go since they have no trade clauses in their contracts, so you can only blame management (Wilson). The Sharks will never be great until they have a change in leadership on the ice. Empty promises this year have lead no where.
Both should go but TMac first. He doesn’t have the chops to be a head coach in nhl. He is not bright and is overly loyal. He gets out coached all the time. He should have Pavs as third line center and Burns on offense. Why would you pair burns with mueller? He plays Niemi no matter how poorly he plays just like h did Nabby. He has no emotion other than grumpy. He never sends a message to a vet nor is he chummy. Players will play hard for a coach they love. Someone they would die for. They also play hard for someone they fear, though that fades after a while. Or someone who has won it all a few times and they hold him in high esteem. TMac is not adored or feared or esteemed. Wilson has done some great things but he doesn’t understand coaches or goalies.
Getting rid of a coach that was popular with the players has worked so far with the Warriors. Maybe it will work in the NHL too.
Not always good to be popular among your players. Just like the workplace, if you get along with your boss too much they stop pushing you as well and keeping you to high standards because they wanna be friends.
The 2014 quarter final series was over after game 6 when McClellan whined to the press how the Sharks had been cheated when a disputed Kings’ goal was allowed,even though the Kings won by 3 goals. Instead of instructing his team to put it behind them, he made them feel like victims, rather than champions. The GM should have intervened and talked to the team. I had no doubt about how game 7 would end after his display. This was the poorest coaching EVER.
If the Sharks players like McLellan so much how come they are not playing hard for him. I watch almost every game and I can see the players are not giving their best out on the ice. I thought the Demers trade make wake up the team but it hasn’t, but it sure woke up Demers.
Yes people don’t understand that the players need to be motivated and sometimes having a friendly coach is not the way to do that. The kings players hate Darryl Sutter at times but he makes them play the right way and he is not overly friendly with them.