According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the San Jose Sharks informed head coach Bob Boughner that he won’t return next season.
Not sure what’s happening with GM search in SJ, but it appears that the Sharks have made a coaching change. Word late last night was Bob Boughner was informed he will not be returning.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2022
Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic adds that the Sharks let Boughner's coaching staff go as well.
Further to @FriedgeHNIC’s report, can confirm Bob Boughner was let go last night as head coach of the Sharks. Had one more year left on his deal at $1.5M. His staff also let go (Madden, Maclean, Darrow). @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2022
Boughner was hired in December 2019 after the Sharks let go of Pete DeBoer following a 5-16-2 start to the season. The Boughner-led Sharks went 14-20-3 the rest of the way and missed out on the expanded COVID-19 bubble playoffs that were held in the summer of 2020.
The Sharks missed the playoffs in both seasons with Boughner behind the bench as well, as they went 21-28-7 in 2021 and 32-37-13 in 2021-22.
San Jose is currently in the midst of a search for a new general manager after Doug Wilson stepped down from the role back in April to focus on his health. Wilson had worked for the Sharks since 1997 and had been their general manager since 2003.
Friedman and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported a few weeks ago that the Sharks’ GM search is coming to an end. Two names that appear to be in the mix are Ray Whitney and Mike Grier, both of whom suited up for the Sharks during their playing days.
There’s no word yet on who Boughner’s replacement might be behind the bench.
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