You know the NHL rumor mill is in full-swing when the conversation shifts to coaches, who are still employed but on shaky ground, potentially taking over at job openings elsewhere.
But this is the world we live in and the NHL we love, so there's no harm in discussing the potential for current San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan to possibly be the future coach of the Edmonton Oilers - especially when such a thought comes straight from the minds of one of the best hockey insiders the sport has.
"I'll tell you this: I think the more likely scenario is if there's a guy in the NHL who's employed somewhere now that maybe Edmonton takes a big run at and may have a more reasonable shot at, it's Todd McLellan," said TSN Insider Elliotte Friedman on a recent episode of Calgary's Sportsnet 960 as transcribed by NicholsOnHockey.com.
"I don't know what Todd McLellan's future is in San Jose. I think he's got another year. I think they're going through some real transitions there. I could see a situation where Edmonton maybe has a more legitimate shot at Todd McLellan if he's not coaching in San Jose next year."
McLellan, despite his close relationship with GM Doug Wilson, began this season on shaky ground after his Sharks, one of the regular season's best teams, were defeated in the first-round of the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
The Sharks, up 3-0 on the Kings, eventually sagged their way to defeat and rumors began to swirl about the future of McLellan and the organization.
He survived though, and the Sharks (18-11-4) have rebounded in recent days after a tough early season stretch that saw them on the road far more often than they were home.
But if the team underperforms in the season's biggest moments again and McLellan is shown the door, according to Friedman, there is a potential opportunity waiting in Edmonton.
"And I'll tell you one other thing. I don't know what the whole future of the organization is going to be in Edmonton, but Craig MacTavish and Todd Mclellan, I think their boys play together in the U.S. Junior Hockey League," said Friedman. "They have a pretty good relationship. That is one - If you told me that next year he was going to be the coach in Edmonton, I wouldn't be surprised by that."
