In a move to shake up the struggling team, the San Jose Sharks have announced the firing of head coach David Quinn. With no replacement named as of yet, the decision comes following a disappointing season for the Sharks, finishing last in the NHL and failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.

The Sharks' dismal season was sealed when the Vegas Golden Knights secured a 5-4 overtime victory against the Seattle Kraken, eliminating San Jose from contention. Despite the difficult circumstances, Sharks general manager Mike Grier acknowledged Quinn's efforts, stating, "David is a good coach and an even better person. I would like to personally thank him for his hard work over these past two seasons."

Under Quinn's guidance, the Sharks struggled throughout the season, finishing with a record of 19-54-9. They faced numerous challenges, including key injuries to players like Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture. Hertl was eventually traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, while Couture returned from a lengthy absence only to be ruled out for the rest of the season after a brief stint.

San Jose's performance was plagued by defensive vulnerabilities, allowing seven or more goals on ten occasions, including two games where they conceded a staggering ten goals. The team got off to a disastrous start, losing their first eleven games and marking the second-worst start in NHL history, only behind the New York Rangers in the 1943-44 season.

Quinn, who took over as head coach in 2022, ended his tenure with a record of 41-98-25, spanning 164 games. Prior to his time with the Sharks, he also coached the New York Rangers, accumulating a record of 96-87-25 before his dismissal in 2021.

The firing of Quinn adds to the growing list of NHL coaches let go this season, joining the likes of Jay Woodcroft, Dean Evason, Craig Berube, D.J. Smith, Lane Lambert, Todd McLellan, Lindy Ruff, and Don Granato. The Sharks organization will now be tasked with identifying a suitable replacement as they aim to regroup and improve in the seasons to come.

In addition to the coaching change, it was also announced that head athletic trainer Ray Tufts will not be returning for the upcoming season, further highlighting the changes underway within the Sharks organization.

As the San Jose Sharks look ahead to the offseason, there will undoubtedly be a focus on rebuilding and making crucial decisions to address the team's shortcomings. The search for a new head coach and potential roster changes loom large, as the Sharks aim to reverse their fortunes and make a return to playoff contention in the near future.