Reasons Why Todd McLellan should remain the Coach for San Jose Sharks – NHL
San Jose Sharks had a good run during the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season and postseason as well. They were unfortunately unable to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, being eliminated in the Western Conference Finals by Vancouver Canucks,
that has given birth to a number of speculations, including the coach being replaced.
One of those and probably the biggest of the rumors and speculations floating around the hockey world are of San Jose’s coach, Todd McLellan’s, replacement. Looking at his record with Sharks, Todd McLellan is probably the reason it was able to make it so
far twice in the playoffs.
Being eliminated is different since no matter how good a team is, the play-offs are a whole different situation and even some of the best teams seem to lose control of their fate.
An example of this would be the Eastern Conference semifinals between the top seed, Washington Capitals and fifth seed, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lightning was able to clean-sweep Capitals, 4-0, and cause a major disappointment, but it does not mean that Washington’s coach should be sacked.
Reasons why Todd McLellan should remain as head coach of Sharks are plenty and mentioning a few would give NHL fans a better thinking about his contributions as a coach.
Eminent Performance
In the three years McLellan has been coach, San Jose has made a noticeable and considerable amount of difference in their game-play.
In the first year, back in the 2008-2009 season, he led San Jose Sharks to win the President’s Trophy with one of the greatest regular season records in the franchise’s history with 53-18-11.
In the next two seasons, including this one, Sharks worked their way up to the Western Conference finals but eventually lost. They have not entered the finals yet and its current form shows that it will not be far until they win the Stanley Cup.
Game Knowledge
No matter what anyone might say about McLellan, his knowledge and intelligence of the game is undisputable.
Having played most of his life in the AHL, NHL and international leagues including playing for the S.I.J. Utrecht of the Eredivisie in the Netherlands, he has gained a number of playing tactics from far and wide which are paying off for Sharks.
Stanley Cup under the Belt
McLellan knows how to win a Stanley Cup and is eventually leading his team to that level. It was back in the 2007-2008 season he joined San Jose Sharks after Mike Babcock, Detroit’s legendary coach, selected him to be his assistant and they won the cup that
year.
Having a Stanley Cup under his belt, McLellan is the only San Jose coach so far with this benefit for Sharks.
Removing Todd McLellan would only take Sharks backward and again disable them for another few seasons as they would have to readapt to the new coach’s playing style.
Staying in the same momentum and gradually moving up the ranks would be the best thing for Sharks as an overall team.
San Jose has a great line-up and properly using the players to the best of their abilities is only possible if Todd McLellan remains with the club.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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