Music: {allcanada} McLellan to be named coach of Oilers: report

Monday, May 18, 2015

{allcanada} McLellan to be named coach of Oilers: report

Todd McLellan will be named coach of the Edmonton Oilers, perhaps as early as Tuesday, Sportsnet reported Monday.

TSN said details of the agreement need to be worked out before an official announcement is made.

McLellan left the San Jose Sharks after coaching them for the past seven seasons. He had been in Prague coaching Canada to the gold medal in the IIHF World Championship, which ended Sunday.

McLellan and the Sharks mutually parted on April 20. He was 311-163-66, coached San Jose into the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his first six seasons and reached the Western Conference Final in 2010 and 2011.

The Sharks finished this season with 89 points, 10 behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the West.

Oilers forward Jordan Eberle played for Canada at the IIHF tournament.

"I've been impressed," Eberle said of McLellan to the Edmonton Sun. "... I have nothing but positive things to say so far."

The Oilers were 24-44-14 this season; they were coached by Dallas Eakins, who was fired Dec. 15, and Todd Nelson.

Peter Chiarelli was hired as general manager on April 24. The Oilers won the NHL Draft Lottery and have the No. 1 pick on June 26, when it is expected they will select Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid.