REPORT: Sharks ‘considering’ Blashill as head coach?

Here’s a candidate out of left field for the San Jose Sharks head coaching job.

Jeff Blashill, anyone?

“I think Blashill is someone they’re considering,” Elliotte Friedman reported today on his 32 Thoughts podcast.

Blashill was the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2015-2022, going 204-261-72. He made the playoffs once, a first-round loss in 2016, before the Red Wings embarked on a lengthy rebuild.

Blashill has been an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past two seasons.

Friedman also had plenty of notes on other potential coaching candidates for the San Jose Sharks.

Listen to his podcast for more details, but here’s a quick overview:

• Marco Sturm and Ryan Warsofsky are names he has also associated with the San Jose Sharks.
• Friedman wonders if the Los Angeles Kings will look to keep Sturm, who led the Ontario Reign to the AHL Pacific Division final, as NHL coach: “I think the Kings are going to have to take a decision regarding Sturm. Will he continue in their organization or will he have to go elsewhere?
• Speaking of keeping things in-house, the Seattle Kraken are interviewing assistant coach Jay Leach (which San Jose Hockey Now reported last week) and Coachella Valley Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma for their coaching position -chief. Leach has also been associated with the San Jose Sharks work. Former Sharks head coach Todd McLellan is also in the mix.

The Sharks interviewed Warsofsky for the head coaching job, what about the others? (+)

• Speaking of former Sharks, Dean Evason, most recently head coach of the Minnesota Wild, probably interviewed with the Winnipeg Jets. Friedman also questioned general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s past ties to Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson.
• For now, Friedman likes Craig Berube to go to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, for the New Jersey Devils, Friedman alternated between Berube, Jay Woodcroft and Sheldon Keefe as the primary candidate.

Back to Blas.

Prior to 2015, Blashill had extensive experience in the NCAA and AHL. He was an assistant coach at Ferris State and Miami University of Ohio from 1998 to 2008. He then became the general manager and head coach of the Indiana Ice of the USHL from 2008 to 2010, head coach of Western Michigan in 2010-11, assistant coach with the Red Wings in 2011-2012, before becoming head coach of the Grand Rapid Griffins from 2012 to 2015.

He won the Clark Cup for the USHL champion in 2009 and the Calder Cup in 2013.

So there’s obviously a lot of experience developing and rebuilding, which suits the San Jose Sharks.

Of course, Blashill wouldn’t be the most exciting hire.

But maybe the second time will be good?

“I like to see what people learn the first time,” Friedman said.