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Larry Robinson joins the Sharks |
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Larry Robinson joins the Sharks
The San Jose Sharks announced the hiring of Larry Robinson as an associate coach. Robinson was most recently behind the bench in a similar role for the New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup run which came up just short.
Robinson has all the credentials anyone could ask for in a coach. He won six Cups as a player with the Montreal Canadians and was one of the most feared blue liners to patrol the ice. Robinson did it all. He was great defensively, he would drop the gloves when necessary, he contributed offensively, and was a great leader on and off the ice.
As a coach he has won the Cup both as an associate as well as the main bench boss with the Devils. One thing Robinson was clear about was that he is only interested in being the associate coach in San Jose.
“The first thing I said when I came into the room was I don’t want to be a head coach” said Robinson. “I’m not here to take Todd’s job I’m here to help in any way I can.”
Robinson will no doubt help the Sharks back end improve. Fresh perspective always does. It will be good for the young and the veterans on the Shark’s blue line to learn from a hall of fame player like Larry Robinson. This is a coach who has seen the game evolve and hasn’t been shy to change with it.
There is nowhere to go but up but up for the penalty kill, but that is a department where he hopefully makes the biggest difference. Robinson knows a thing or two from his playing days, but he has also coached with an organization that has excelled on the PK.
Robinson will clearly assist the defense but he will also be a reference for head coach Todd McLellan. Anyone with Larry’s experience can be an asset to everybody in the organization.
“I was given every opportunity to be involved in the selection process” said Coach Todd McLellan. “It was an organizational decision that I fully support. As a young coach in the league I’m looking for ways to get better and I think that Larry is a great tool for our organization but also for Todd McLellan.”
At the end of the 2010/11 season Coach Trent Yawney and the Sharks parted ways and that role wasn’t filled by the team. Yawney brought something to the table that wasn’t replaced, until now.
When asked if Trent Yawney was missed the Coach McLellan had this to say
“We did miss Trent Yawney. Trent brought a tremendous amount to our organization and to our team. His experience as a player especially on the back end and his ability on the penalty kill. He lent a lot of credibility to our staff.”
The Sharks continue to tweak their organization for the future and I’m sure aren’t done in the free agency department. The hiring of an accomplished professional like Larry Robinson will only make this team better, and in hockey’s toughest division every advantage helps.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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