SAN JOSE – In his first public comments since the end of the season, Sharks coach Todd McLellan said on Wednesday that he is still unsure of his status with the organization moving forward.
General manager Doug Wilson also indicated that a decision has not yet been made.
McLellan, 47, has one year remaining on his contract. He expects the uncertainty will be resolved before he leaves for the Czech Republic on April 24, where he will serve as head coach of Team Canada for the Men’s Hockey World Championships.
“The answers you guys are looking for today, I'm not going to be able to give them to you. I need a little more time,” said McLellan, who spoke with his family earlier this week. “I'm sure the organization needs a little more time.”
“There's a lot that goes into a review. Organizationally, too. We've got a lot of decisions that have to be made. You've got ownership involvement, you've got managerial decisions that have to be made. There's a lot that goes into it."
[RATTO: Wilson faces decisions after Sharks retain McLellan ... for now]
McLellan just completed his seventh season as the Sharks’ head coach, and first without making the playoffs.
General manager Doug Wilson said the review is ongoing, but added that he didn’t have a date in mind as to when it will be compete.
“Todd shared with you guys that he wants to have some discussions with his family,” Wilson said. “We always have the process where he and his staff will sit down and say what did work, what didn't work. Once that is concluded, then Todd and I will sit down. But there's not really any time frame on that.”
As for Wilson’s status, the general manager addressed some speculation that he could be promoted into a different role such as team president, while someone else would take over the day-to-day hockey operations.
“I don't follow the media reports. I have a boss, he will review me, and we will make decisions as to where we go as an organization,” Wilson said.
Wilson’s boss, of course, is owner Hasso Plattner. Wilson called Plattner an “extremely involved” owner, despite Plattner remaining in the background and rarely making public comments.
“Just because he doesn't maybe communicate with you guys that often, he is very up to speed with everything we're doing. He watches every game, we communicate a lot. He's obviously a brilliant guy, but he loves the game.
“As far as ownership, I think it's unfair and untrue some of the things I hear, because he's tremendously involved and cares deeply about this team and this organization.”
