While rumours swirl that San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan is on the hot seat, his players are giving him a vote of confidence.
“I would be very disappointed if there was [a coaching change],” defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic told reporters Wednesday. “He’s one of the best coaches in the league. Why would you get rid of him? He’s unbelievable. I think he’s been great since I’ve been here. I like Todd. I really do. He’s a great coach – 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 leave.”
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Reports surfaced earlier this week that the team had contacted former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, but Sharks general manger Doug Wilson vehemently denied that to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
The Sharks — a team that has been a model of regular-season consistency for the last decade — have struggled so far this campaign, currently sitting fifth in the Pacific Division with a 10-9-4 record.
“I always think it’s funny. Like, I know it’s coming. If you lose the next one, [crap] will hit the fan, big time,” added Vlasic, who has played under McLellan his entire NHL career. “You just look at the record. Look at what we’ve done in the past. If it was 13-6, the [media] wouldn’t even say anything. Just add three more wins and we’re fine. But, we’re still fine.”
It’s not just Vlasic that backed the coach.
“We’re the ones who are responsible for what happens. Those reports irritate us as a team, I think,” forward Tommy Wingels said. “Me specifically, I don’t think they’re warranted. That’s where I’ll leave it at.”
McLellan has been with the Sharks since the 2008-09 season where he has helped lead his team to three Pacific Division titles and a 281-139-61 record over that time period.
“I like what the coaching staff does here and how they work,” the team’s leading goal scorer Joe Pavelski said. “There’s not much else to really be said. We have to play the game and they give us something every day to work towards. It’s about us getting a little better.”