Report: Oilers GM Chiarelli spoke with McLellan

There are not enough adjectives for the Hockey Central panel to describe Connor McDavid and the impact he will make with the Edmonton Oilers. But just as important is the guy who will coach him.

It’s unclear who will be the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers next season, but things are starting to get interesting.

New general manager Peter Chiarelli spoke with former San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan while the two were in Prague, Czech Republic, according to Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun.

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McLellan, who parted ways with the Sharks last month, is currently serving as coach of Team Canada at the world hockey championship.

The 47-year-old had been the Sharks head coach since 2008, leaving the franchise as the all-time leader in wins (311), games coached (540) and points percentage (.637), with an overall record of 311-163-66.


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Pending free agent coach Mike Babcock is another bench boss whose name has been connected with the Oilers. Babcock has said he plans on heading to the worlds, however he will not meet with Chiarelli there since the Oilers GM is now headed to Scottsdale, Ariz., to take part in scouting meetings, added Jones.

If the Oilers end up reaching a deal with McLellan or Babcock or another coach to replace interim head coach Todd Nelson, it will be the team’s sixth coaching change since 2009.

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