SAN JOSE – Sharks interim common supervisor Joe Will didn't make any declarations Monday as to when the group can have a everlasting common supervisor in place or if Bob Boughner will return because the group’s head coach.
“We don’t need to restrict ourselves by placing a date actually on something,” Will mentioned Monday. “Ideally, would you wish to have individuals in place previous to the draft and free company? You'd, so long as you’re snug with who’s there.”
The Sharks are about to embark on a busy and pivotal offseason as they proceed what may very well be a prolonged seek for a brand new full-time GM after Doug Wilson stepped down final month after 19 years on the job.
There are additionally questions on whether or not Boughner shall be again behind the bench, and what the Sharks can do to return to relevance after lacking the playoffs for a 3rd consecutive season.
Will mentioned the Sharks are narrowing an unique listing of GM candidates, beforehand estimated by group president Jonathan Becher to be round 50 individuals, and can quickly start formal interviews.
Whoever is employed must mesh with the Sharks’ entrance workplace’s line of pondering – that the group is able to returning to contender standing quickly with little interest in a deeper rebuild.
“The one factor I don’t suppose we’re taking a look at is sort of a scorched earth-type situation to say we’re simply going to form of begin over,” Will mentioned. “In that regard, we’re down the trail on a variety of issues and there’s a variety of a variety of good issues to construct on right here.”
Assuming the Sharks are taking a look at GM candidates now working with different NHL groups, it’s doable that these people won't change into out there till after the Stanley Cup playoffs finish in late June.
“It’s at all times the sooner the higher,” Will mentioned, “however offered the particular person’s there that you really want.”
Earlier Monday, Boughner mentioned he's nonetheless not sure as as to whether he’ll be again because the Sharks’ coach subsequent season.
Boughner mentioned he and Will are planning to speak within the close to future however didn't know if somebody within the Sharks’ present administration construction or the brand new GM would determine whether or not he says or goes.
“I'd say this that, clearly, before later, we’ll need to know so we will transfer ahead,” mentioned Boughner, who has yet one more 12 months on the three-year contract he signed previous to the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.
“Whether or not that’s a brand new GM or whether or not that’s Joe or administration or possession making these selections, you’d need to ask him.”
Boughner has a report of 67-85-23 with the Sharks since Dec 11, 2019, when he took over teaching duties following the dismissal of Pete DeBoer and three assistants.
The Sharks completed twenty second within the NHL’s total standings this season with a 32-37-13 report for 77 factors – 20 factors again of the Nashville Predators for the second and remaining wild-card spot within the Western Convention.
“It’s been simply such a busy weekend for everyone that we haven’t even actually crossed that bridge and there’s no date, there’s no ultimatums or something like that,” mentioned Boughner. “However I’ve mentioned this earlier than, my workers and myself have put a variety of time in with this group and we need to be part of it shifting ahead. I’ve mentioned there’s mild on the finish of the tunnel right here for positive.”
Will mentioned he did exit interviews with 29 gamers over the weekend. Requested if he has a timeline to find out Boughner’s future, Will mentioned, “I don’t have a date. It’s all a part of the method.
“It’s extra about subsequent 12 months, versus this 12 months, and it’s extra about the place are we going,” Will mentioned. “So the very first thing is, what can we need to be subsequent 12 months, how are we going to do it, after which the very last thing is, who, and that’s it’s the identical with gamers and workers.
“So I don’t essentially have a date, however I can let you know we’re going to only be right here daily engaged on that course of till we’re snug to the purpose of that is what we have to do.”
WILL ON UFA’S: Will mentioned he desires to re-sign pending unrestricted free brokers Alexander Barabanov, a ahead, and defenseman Jaycob Megna. Barabanov, 27, was fifth on the Sharks with 39 factors in 69 video games, and Megna, 29, averaged over 19:07 of ice time per recreation.
KANE’S GRIEVANCE: Will mentioned he expects the grievance filed on Evander Kane’s behalf by the NHLPA to be settled earlier than July 13, the beginning of NHL free company, which might give the Sharks an opportunity to know the way a lot cash they've out there to spend.
If Kane wins his grievance, filed in January after the Sharks terminated what was left of his seven-year, $49 million contract, the group might need to hold all or a part of his deal on their wage cap ledger.
SURGERIES: Will mentioned it seems three Sharks gamers will want what he referred to as minor surgical procedures this offseason. Will wouldn't say Monday who these gamers have been.