McLellan let go by Sharks, could be an option for the Leafs

This summer has the potential to be one of the busiest in recent years for a lot of NHL clubs, as it’s been forecast to include a deep draft and an abundance of options for coaching and management positions in need of filling. After a few teams got things started with personnel changes last week (notably the Leafs and Flyers), a bigger name hit the market today when Todd McLellan and the Sharks decided things just weren’t working out. 

From an outsider’s perspective, McLellan seems to be a smart coach and he’s enjoyed plenty of NHL success, both as an assistant in Detroit and as the go-to guy in California. It goes without saying that the Leafs should at least have him on their radar in the coming months.

Something that will likely be noted a few times going forward, and I’ll get it out of the way now, is that McLellan – as part of Mike Babcock’s group in Detroit – coached Shanahan in one of the final years of his playing career, so there is familiarity here. To go even further, with McLellan running the forwards and powerplay for the Wings, Shanahan would score 40 goals as a 37-year-old in 2005-06. Can you say buds for life? 

As a head coach, McLellan spent seven seasons in San Jose and missed the playoffs once – this year – which apparently was enough to end his tenure. If wins and losses are your thing, McLellan finished up with a 311-163-66 regular season record, good for a .576 win-percentage and .698 points-percentage over 540 games.