San Jose Sharks Casting Wide Net In Search Of New Coach
Feb 21, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Fans of the San Jose Sharks in the second period during the Stadium Series hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks’ coaching search continues into another week with no end in relative sight. General manager Doug Wilson hinted that this would be an extensive search as he looked for the replacement to former head coach Todd McLellan.
It seems that Wilson has remained true to his word.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, who appeared on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 yesterday, he anticipates that Wilson will interview close to 20 people for the position.
Some of the names Friedman mentions includes: Peter DeBoer, Dave Lowry, Rob Zettler, Randy Carlyle and Adam Oates. Also, Friedman was unsure about whether Dan Bylsma had interviewed in San Jose but believed he has.
As we touched upon last week, Lowry was a name that was out there as a possible off-the-radar choice should the Sharks decide to go that route. Friedman threw out another out-of-the-box name and that was Boston University’s Dave Quinn. If San Jose hired Quinn, he would be the second collegiate coach hired at the NHL-level as the Philadelphia Flyers hired North Dakota’s Dave Hakstol more than a week ago.
Finally, Friedman points out how Wilson could target a coach who is currently still alive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The one name who is connected in that regard is Anaheim’s Trent Yawney who was part of McLellan’s original staff in San Jose.
Regardless of who the final choice is, it’s clear that Wilson is intent on performing his due diligence. While I’m sure Sharks fans would like a coach sooner rather than later, and I’m one of them, it seems that there has been a lull now that Mike Babcock and McLellan have chosen their destinations.
Wilson has always been meticulous when it comes to his coaching hires, but with his wide range of candidates, one has to wonder if he has a clear idea of who he wants behind the bench next season or if he’s waiting for someone to just blow him away.
The only thing for certain is Wilson has to get this right because if things go awry again next season, it will be Wilson who is likely gone.