Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.
In this one we'll be looking at potential fits for Todd McLellan now that he's no longer with the Sharks.
Todd Cordell I think the Philadelphia Flyers are a team that would make sense for Todd McLellan. Though he didn't necessarily have much success with San Jose in the playoffs, this is the first season they've missed with him as the coach, and there are some similarities between the two teams.
He definitely had a better defense core in San Jose, however, he'd have a better goaltender to work with in Steve Mason, and the Flyers have some star talent up front that I think McLellan could get the most out of.
The Sharks always had one of the best power plays in hockey with Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and co. and I think McLellan could do the same with Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and Wayne Simmonds, among others.
Philadelphia's roster needs some work - particularly on defense - but they have a good core in place, and I think McLellan could be a good fit there.
Tim Chiasson Todd McLellan needs a situation where he can step into a good roster that’s ready to make the jump to the playoffs, like Philadelphia. I don’t think a scenario with a rebuilding team is a very good one for him, like Toronto, and I don’t think he’s a good fit for the rebuilding organization given how he handled his young players this season under a “tomorrow team… mandate. The Flyers would provide him with some star firepower and forward depth. He’s used to having a below average defense so he’ll adjust to Philadelphia just fine.
Another good scenario for McLellan would be St. Louis if they end up relieving Ken Hitchcock for some reason. Bottom line is that Todd McLellan is a coach that needs to walk into an already established group that needs a fresh face – not a pitiful disaster like Buffalo or Toronto. Of course, he could always just go ride the coattails of Connor McDavid in Edmonton like whoever goes there will do – but I’ll stick with Philadelphia as my best fit for Todd McLellan.
Adam French Unemployment?
I honestly don't get it. He isn't a bad coach, but he hasn't done jack. He was an assistant for a Cup winning Wings squads...great. What happened in San Jose? He led a strong team from semi-contention into simply being around. If you're a GM can you really give him a team with a top-3 centre position of Thornton, Pavelski and Couture? Even out of the playoffs that's one of the top-5 in the league. He's going to get a job, but that's because the revolving door is a very real thing in the NHL. He always got outplayed in the playoffs. He should have been gone after Sutter pulled the rug out from under him last year in the 4-3 comeback win.
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