Sharks Fire Boughner, Clean House: Reports

While the Bay Area slept, multiple reports emerged the San Jose Sharks fired head coach Bob Boughner and cleaned out his staff late Thursday night.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the story.

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

Boughner served as the Sharks’ head coach since Dec. 11, 2019, when he replaced the fired Pete DeBoer. Boughner was initially the interim head coach, but in September 2020, he was officially named the head coach.

The Sharks did not make the playoffs in his three seasons, though they improved to sixth place in the Pacific Division last season with a 32-37-13 record.

Boughner had one year and $1.5 million left on his contract, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Including his two-year stint as the head coach of the Florida Panthers, Boughner’s career record is 147-147-45.

The Sharks also let go of Boughner’s staff, including John Madden, John Maclean, and video coach Dan Darrow.

The San Jose Sharks GM search is also underway. Several interesting names have been rumored and reported, including Ray Whitney and Mike Grier, who are considered finalists for the job.

The new GM will likely get to hire the new coach.

It is unusual to be terminated so deep into the offseason. Boughner will have a tough time finding work this summer as only the Winnipeg Jets job remains open, and that has reportedly been offered to former Arizona Coyotes bench boss Rick Tocchet.

Check back with San Jose Hockey Now for more details as the story unfolds…