Rebuilding Sharks fire coach David Quinn after two disappointing seasons

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks fired coach David Quinn on Wednesday after two difficult seasons as part of a major rebuilding project.

General manager Mike Grier called it a tough decision to fire Quinn after enduring two seasons under “difficult circumstances,” but said he concluded it was the best move for the franchise's future after he had met with coaches, players and front office staff in the last few days and owner Hasso Plattner.

“After going through our process and digesting this in the process of evaluation, I just felt like we had to do this,” Grier said. “A different voice for the group, where the group is now and what is needed for the group.”

Grier hired Quinn to replace Bob Boughner shortly after he took over as GM in 2022. Quinn spent two seasons in San Jose marked by lackluster play as the team traded away several high-priced stars such as Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier, part of a major overhaul in hopes of making the franchise competitive again.

Instead, the Sharks had a 41-98-25 record in Quinn's two seasons, the worst record in the NHL during that span, including a league-worst 47 points this season. San Jose's 19 wins this season were the fewest in a full season since the franchise's second year as an expansion team in 1992-93.

“That didn’t really play a big role,” Grier said. “Obviously I’m aware of that. But at the same time, I kind of knew what the squad looked like at the start of the season. I didn't expect us to be a playoff team. Did the season go a little worse than expected? Yes. But it’s not all performance dependent.”

The last spot gives San Jose a 25.5 percent chance of getting the No. 1 draft pick and the prize, which is expected to go to Hobey Baker Award winner Macklin Celebrini, who played one season for the Sharks junior team played while living in the Bay Area.

The Sharks surpassed 147 goals (excluding shootouts) this season, which is their 12th-worst record of all time and the worst in 30 years, since Ottawa surpassed 196 goals in 1993-94, its second season as an expansion team.

San Jose set a franchise record for fewest goals scored per game (2.18) and had the fourth-worst mark in team history in goals allowed per game (3.98). The Sharks allowed at least six goals in a game 18 times, the second-most goals in a season since the start of the 1996-97 season.

Grier did not provide a timeline for the search for a new coach, saying he is open to candidates with and without experience as a head coach in the NHL. He said the assistants will remain under contract and have the chance to stay if the new coach wants them, but they are free to seek other opportunities if they arise.

The Sharks have missed the playoffs for a franchise-record five straight seasons after reaching the 2019 Western Conference Finals and have the worst record in the NHL during that span. San Jose has previously been one of the league's most consistent teams, reaching the playoffs in 14 of 15 seasons, with five trips to the conference finals and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 before losing to Pittsburgh in six games.

But the core of that roster was aging, and San Jose struggled over the next three seasons before Grier took over and began a rebuild that netted the team significant draft capital. There are two additional first-round picks in the next two seasons and one additional second-rounder this year.

Grier also announced that head athletic trainer Ray Tufts would not return after 27 years with the franchise.

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