Report: Sharks, McLellan could mutually agree to part ways

The Todd McLellan era could soon be over in San Jose.

The Sharks' head coach may not be fired in the traditional sense, but he and general manager Doug Wilson are apparently preparing to separate. 

From David Pollak of the Mercury News:

Signs indicate that a mutually agreed upon parting of the ways is more likely with both general manager Doug Wilson and McLellan acknowledging it is in everyone’s best interest for him to depart with one year left on his contract.

No muss, no fuss, no blood on anybody’s hands.

McLellan has served behind the Sharks' bench since 2008-09, with a coaching record of 540-311-163-66. A failure to succeed in the playoffs, however, highlighted by last year's epic collapse at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings, hangs over a club searching for a new identity.

For better or worse, a new coach will likely lead the Sharks forward, leaving McLellan - who will coach Team Canada at the world championships - as one of the more attractive coaching free agents available this summer.