The San Jose Sharks fired coach David Quinn on Wednesday following a historically poor season. The team finished with a record of 19-54-9, becoming the first NHL team in the salary cap era to fail to reach 20 wins in a full 82-game season. They had a rough start, going 0-10-1, and ended the season with a league-worst goal differential of -150.
As a result of their poor performance, the Sharks will have the best odds in the draft lottery and could potentially secure the number one pick for the first time in team history. The top prospect, Hobey Baker Award winner Macklin Celebrini, may be selected if they obtain the top pick. This means that a new coach will be guiding the team in his first NHL season.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier expressed gratitude for Quinn’s hard work during his two seasons with the team. Quinn had a record of 41-98-25 in 164 games after being hired in July 2022. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase, having recently parted ways with high-priced veterans like Timo Meier, Erik Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Anthony Duclair.
Grier acknowledged that the roster was not playoff-worthy and praised the coaching staff for handling difficult circumstances. However, after evaluating the situation, he believed that a change was necessary to provide a fresh voice for the team. The decision to relieve Quinn of his coaching duties came after careful deliberation and consideration of the team’s future direction.
The Buffalo Sabres were the first team to fire a coach after the regular season, and Lindy Ruff was recently hired to replace Don Granato. A total of seven coaches were fired during the regular season, reflecting the competitive and demanding nature of the NHL coaching landscape.