It remains to be seen if the San Jose Sharks missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003 will result in front office changes. But if GM Doug Wilson is on his way out, then that might cost them head coach Todd McLellan too.
“If Doug Wilson were to be fired as general manager Todd McLellan has an option in his contract to become a free agent and he would be available to other teams in the NHL without compensation,” said Sportsnet’s Damien Cox on Hockey Night in Canada.
The “without compensation” part refers to the NHL’s reported plans to reintroduce draft pick compensation for teams that hire a president, GM, or head coach that is still under contract with another NHL franchise.
McLellan, who is signed through the 2015-16 campaign, holds the franchise record for regular season victories at 310. He also has a 30-32 record in the playoffs. San Jose reached the Western Conference Final in back-to-back years under McLellan in 2010 and 2011, but it hasn’t gotten past the second round since that stretch.