Experience counts

Former NHL coaches who might be under consideration to become Todd McLellan’s successor with the Sharks:

Dan Bylsma, 44, coached Pittsburgh to Stanley Cup in 2009, his first season on the job. Fired last summer when Penguins lost in second round after holding 3-1 series lead.

Randy Carlyle, 59, behind bench when Anaheim won Cup in 2007. Fired by Toronto in January when team was above .500. Sharks reportedly have sought permission from Maple Leafs to talk with Carlyle.

John Tortorella, 56, coached Tampa Bay to Stanley Cup in 2004. Lasted one season in Vancouver, fired a year ago after team missed playoffs for first time in four years.

Peter DeBoer, 46, took New Jersey to Stanley Cup finals in 2012. Fired when Devils got off to 12-17-7 start this season.

Paul MacLean, 57, fired by Ottawa in December when Ottawa got off to an 11-11-7 start. Previously an assistant in Detroit with McLellan.

Try someone new

Analysts Drew Remenda and Jeremy Roenick identified eight potential candidates holding jobs as NHL assistants or minor league head coaches:

Dean Evason, 50, an original Shark who was an assistant with Washington for six seasons. Now coaches Nashville’s development team in Milwaukee.

Tony Granato, 50, another former Shark, now an assistant with Detroit. Held similar role in Pittsburgh and Colorado, where Granato also was head coach at one point.

Jeff Blashill, 41, coach of Detroit’s development team in Grand Rapids; widely considered McLellan’s top competition to succeed Mike Babcock if he leaves Red Wings.

Kevin Dineen, 51, coached Florida for 146 games before being fired in November 2013 when team got off to 3-9-4 start. Now an assistant with Chicago.

Trent Yawney, 49, a former teammate of Sharks general manager Doug Wilson in Chicago who was an assistant to McLellan his first three seasons in San Jose. Now in that same role with Anaheim.

Benoit Groulx, 47, coached Canada to its first gold medal in six years at the 2015 World Junior Championship and also has led the Gatineau Olympiques of QMJHL to three titles.

Dave Lowry, 50 another former Shark. Now coaches Victoria Royales of the Western Hockey League and served as a Calgary Flames assistant for three years.

Travis Green, 44, played 970 NHL games before retiring in 2007. Coached Utica Comets to first place in its AHL division this past season with 103 points.

Greg Gilbert, 51, coached Calgary Flames for two-plus seasons starting in 2000 after 837-game NHL career. Now coaches Saginaw Gears and Sharks prospect Dylan Sadowi in OHL.

— CURTIS PASHELKA AND DAVID POLLAK