SAN JOSE, Calif. — Todd McLellan is out after seven seasons as coach of the San Jose Sharks.
The team announced Monday that McLellan and the Sharks agreed to part ways after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. McLellan had one year remaining on his contract.
McLellan had a successful run with the Sharks despite the latest disappointing season and an inability for the team to get over the playoff hump and make the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
“I want to thank Todd and his staff for their years of service to the San Jose Sharks organization,” general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. “Sometimes a change is best for all parties involved, but nothing will take away from what Todd and his staff accomplished here over the last seven seasons.”
McLellan had a 311-163-66 regular-season record with the Sharks, the third best in the NHL since he took over before the 2008-09 season. He had the most wins and coached the most games of any Sharks coach in franchise history.
But San Jose finished 12th out of 14 teams in the Western Conference this season and missed the postseason, leading to the change.
“San Jose will always hold a special place for me and my family,” McLellan said. “I would like to thank Doug and the Sharks organization for allowing me the opportunity to coach at the National Hockey League level. While we both agree that a change is in the best interest of myself and the team, I’m proud of what we accomplished as an organization.”
Outside of a stretch of nine wins in 10 games between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Sharks never got on a roll this season. They frequently lost to teams at the bottom of the standings and lost their home dominance. San Jose won just 19 of 41 home games and struggled in goal, on defense and on the penalty kill.
Thumbnail photo via Matt Kartozian/USA TODAY Sports Images
