SAN JOSE -- Chances are high that when Todd McLellan resurfaces as the head coach of another NHL team -- an inevitability over the next few weeks -- it won’t be with an immediate Stanley Cup contender. There will be work to do for the 47-year-old coach and whatever staff he assembles.
There’s also plenty of work to do in San Jose, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons, and first time under McLellan. McLellan indicated that it was time for him to move on and forego the final year of his contract partly because of that.