McLellan to be named Sharks' head coach

[Matt 1,049]

Expected, but still disappointing. He's done a great job here and the selfish part of me is the "disappointed" part.

I'd be surprised if it's a former player that Babcock tabs as a replacement -- I'm thinking a guy from the AHL or Juniors that has a very strong track record for success.

I remember some of the opinions here -- "Who?" -- when Babcock hired him in 2005... But look at him now: three years later, a Stanley Cup ring and the head coaching gig for another Stanley Cup contender.

Now if that isn't appealing or incentive enough for one of those lower-level guys with a great track record, I don't know what is.

I'm sure Babcock will find someone with a "Mc" in his last name.

[JayUp88 1]

Thats so great for him. there are so many big names out there and he beat them all

[miller76 463]

I was over at the Sharks forum. They are practically soiling themselves over there! Most are ecstatic!

[SFwingsfan 23]

Ok here's the deal. How about Chris Chelios as assistant coach / player. This was totally common back in the old days. I think he could pull this off. We all know he will be lucky to get 40 games next year and this would be a nice transition for him.

[cirov19 1]

Congratulations! All coaches dream of steering the ship. He is coming into a very talented team and won't have to live with too much losing. Great position to step into. Hope he never wins 1 game against Detroit.

Wow, what a blow. Best of luck to McLellan with his new sharks. If they happen to win a cup under his reins then at least we have an amazing excuse.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

Now he's gonna make the sharks play exactly like detroit

Except he doesn't have the personnel to do so.

[Reds4Life 51]

Well deserved promotion, Kenny and co. will find solid replacement

[Guest LivingtheDream]

Good luck to him. He deserves it. However, here is hoping he will never have one of those "Now you will call me Master" moments with Babs!

[ChitownWingsfan 54]

Congrats to him and best of luck! Look forward to beating them in the future

[McCartyFanForLife 17]

Congratulations and I hope you have many 2nd place finishes in the Western Conference while you are there

[Texas Wingnut 0]

Good coach, potentially good team. Still don't think that he'll be the difference in the Sharks going to the SCF. I have no doubt that Babs and the rest of the brain trust will find just the right guy to step in.

[wingslogo19 281]

I really liked him, but you can't fault him for moving on... Best of luck McLellan

[Kp-Wings 3]

Todd's a great guy, and I hold nothing against him for making his decision. Obviously I would have rather had him stay here, but he's doing what in his best interest.

Good luck.

[FinRedWing 172]

Todd's a great guy, and I hold nothing against him for making his decision. Obviously I would have rather had him stay here, but he's doing what in his best interest.

Good luck.

My thoughts exactly.

Good luck and thanks for everything Todd!

[Vincanni 1]

I was actually pretty pissed when I first heard the news, but I like San Jose and McLellan really earned this so congrads for the much deserved step up to Todd.!

[DatsMyWings13 4]

Nothing to say but "Good for him". The guy just plain deserves, and he'll be instrumental in leading the Sharks in the direction they need to go.

Sucks to lose him though, but you can't fault the guy for taking the opportunity.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

eh thats weak happy for him but that sucks i wonder who will replace him now.

[eva unit zero 271]

Judging by previous Babcock assistants hired for the Wings...the replacement will have played with all three of Tony Twist, Tim Cheveldae, and Kelly Chase.

[puertoricanWingsfan 5]

Like everyone has said, good for Todd. He certainly deserves it. Not that I'll be rooting for the sharks of course

On a different note, does anybody know where I should turn in my application to be the next assistant? I think the franchise could potentially benefit from a bit of hispanic flavor

[Yemack 1]

has anyone read this?

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/06/mc...ed_bread_0.html

Todd McLellan got what he wanted. Now we'll see if he gets what he needs.

He was so keen to be the next coach of the Sharks that he called general manager Doug Wilson the morning after the Detroit Red Wings, his employer at the time, won the Stanley Cup. He called at 6 a.m. He called on one hour's sleep. That's how badly he wanted the job.

"And my kids had been up most of the night, too," he said. "I wasn't providing very good parenting, I guess."

In fact, he was willing to fly out to San Jose to begin the interviewing process that day, thereby blowing off the victory parade through downtown Detroit. That's how badly he wanted the job. After one interview, he canceled a scheduled trip to Atlanta to interview for the Thrashers' job. That's how badly he wanted the job, too.

Indeed, he even cited (with a bit of prodding) the way his old superior, Detroit coach Mike Babcock, got a reluctant team to buy into his way of thinking, to the point where they made it their own and were rewarded. Or, in McLellan's words, "What ended up happening was, on June 4, the players proved Mike Babcock right.

"His conviction to the way he wanted things done, he was just relentless," McLellan said at his coming-out party for Fin World. "I wouldn't say they were unhappy, but they had to get out of their comfort zone a bit."

I'm 100% certain that McLellan spilled every one of our organization secrets to kiss Wilson's butt. I'm also pretty certain that he was thinking about the job interview speech the whole time during the playoff.

[Opie 308]

I highly doubt he "Spilled Secrets"!!!

That last comment he made seemed to me to be a lot more about complimenting the way Babs does things as opposed to him spilling the beans.

But then again what secrets are there to spill anyways! The wings play puck possession, ok, they are soft Euros who can't win the cup, ok,.

With todays advanced scouting and technology there are very few secrets!

What is he going to tell them, ok don't get on a 5-3 power play because when the wings successfully defend it, they will get momentum!!

[Reds4Life 51]

has anyone read this?

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/06/mc...ed_bread_0.html[/url]

Hmm after reading this, I hope Sharks and especially McLellan fail big time the very next season. I mean he was so eager to leave the Wings..kida weird though.

Edited June 13, 2008 by Reds4Life

[Opie 308]

Wouldn't you be eager to achieve a lifetime goal!!

You are put off by the fact that the guy was eager to be a head coach instead of an assistant coach, not only that but for a team that is already successful. He doesn't have to build the team, any of that crap they are a playoff bound team.

It would be like riding home in a Ferrari that your friend owns and is driving only to know that your very own is sitting in the drive way waiting for you!

Of course you would be eager to jump at the opportunity!!

[Yemack 1]

I highly doubt he "Spilled Secrets"!!!

That last comment he made seemed to me to be a lot more about complimenting the way Babs does things as opposed to him spilling the beans.

But then again what secrets are there to spill anyways! The wings play puck possession, ok, they are soft Euros who can't win the cup, ok,.

With todays advanced scouting and technology there are very few secrets!

What is he going to tell them, ok don't get on a 5-3 power play because when the wings successfully defend it, they will get momentum!!

well.. that was my initial reaction.

Anyway I think it's more of my frustration that a coach of that kind of calibre couldn't wait to leave our team/take his promotion. I mean.. 1 hr after celebration? A man doesn't wake up 1 hr after Stanley Cup celebration and think 'you know what I'm gonna give a holler to my pal Dougie Willie in SJ' He obviously thought about it for a long time and planned everything during the Final so that he can pounce on it the minute the series end.

I understand his situation and I understand what he did, but it doesn't mean I have to like it as a Wings fan. Call me a bitter one, but I hope he really does have a lot of success. NOT

[hokeychik22 17]

Good Luck Todd! Can't wait to see the sharks play the wings!!