At the midpoint of the San Jose Sharks’ 2010-11 season, it’s obvious the time has come for change. Sure general manager Doug Wilson hasn’t assembled a competitive defensive corps, and the team’s depth is questionable at best, but those problems aren’t going to be fixed overnight. There isn’t a blockbuster trade coming down the pike, and the Sharks organization doesn’t have any head-turning, awe-inspiring blueline prospects in Worcester or beyond.
Many will place the blame on the team’s best, or, perhaps more accurately, highest-paid players. It starts with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, who’ve been dogged by accusations of inconsistency and heartlessness for years, although both players have no-trade clauses that should bind them to the Sharks for the duration of their long-term contracts. As much as some would like to see it, they’re not going anywhere.
That brings us to Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, who was left flabbergasted after last night’s 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Obviously we can’t see all the dynamics at work when it comes to coaching and the daily interaction with players. However, we do know that the Sharks have become progressively worse over the course of his 26 months at the helm. Last night was the team’s 20th loss. During the 2008-09 season, San Jose didn’t pick up loss No. 20 until March 3, but had 42 wins to go with it.
McLellan presents a number of coaching issues that his players are forced to deal with. He’s proven himself incapable of effectively managing goaltenders. Last season he worked Evgeni Nabokov into the ground, and this season the goaltending carousel spins between Antti Niemi and Antero Niittymaki without any rhyme or reason. He can’t coach a third-period lead, the five-on-five offense has stagnated, and the defense looks more confused than Vince Young sitting in front of the Wonderlic.
But McLellan’s fatal flaw is the fact that he’s unwilling and unable to fulfill one of his key job requirements: motivating his players. It dates back to 2009, on the eve of his first playoff appearance behind the Sharks’ bench. Asked if the coaching staff could help motivate the team to produce a consistent effort against the Anaheim Ducks, McLellan responded, “If we have to go in and become cheerleaders and motivators, we’re not winning.” They didn’t find the motivation to beat the Ducks, and the coach didn’t help.
Nothing’s changed since that point as far as McLellan’s approach to motivation. Prior to last night’s game, the coach noted that a player’s internal motivation comes first, but pointed out, “Teammate motivation, the media motivation, the fan motivation is secondary. If you don’t have it when you wake up in the morning, good luck. Outside sources can motivate you a little bit, but not enough.” It’s funny how he didn’t mention coaching motivation in that list, because it doesn’t exist.
After last night’s loss, it was more of the same from McLellan, placing the blame at his players’ feet without taking any responsibility. The team held a meeting on Tuesday, and McLellan referred to it, saying, “I sat in that locker room and listened to a group of players and the coaches talk about their team and how important starts were and how we're going to come prepared – and we get that? That was pretty disappointing.” It’s very disappointing coach, and fans are finally fed up.
Asked about the game plan going forward, McLellan said, “We practice tomorrow, we held players accountable.” I wonder how exactly that is accomplished. Does he skate them until they vomit up their Lunchables? Nope. Monday’s 4-3 loss to Vancouver was followed up by an optional skate the next morning. Does he diminish the ice-time of players he feels aren’t providing sufficient effort? Nope. It seems everyone but Devin Setoguchi is immune from that kind of treatment.
We’re not exactly sure how McLellan plans to hold his players accountable, but we’re tired of waiting around to find out. I was asked the other day if Mike Ricci might be the right fit. The camo cap and rapport with the players makes him a fun choice, but a players’ coach is the last thing the Sharks need. It’s time for a change behind the bench, because Wilson can’t move players out of town so he’d better find a coach who can push the right buttons to get the most out of them.
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