SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks fired coach Darryl Sutter and assistants Lorne Molleken and Rich Preston on Sunday in a dramatic shakeup of a slumping team.
Doug Wilson, the Sharks' director of pro development, and scout Cap Raeder will coach the team until a new head coach is named.
With San Jose off to a disappointing 8-12-2-2 start, general manager Dean Lombardi decided to replace Sutter, who had led the Sharks to five consecutive seasons of improved point totals. He couldn't do anything this season with an underachieving team.
"Darryl was an integral part of the growth of this team the past five seasons. This was not an easy decision to make," Lombardi said.
Following Saturday night's 3-2 home loss to Phoenix, the Sharks are mired in last place in the Pacific Division, which they won last season.
"We felt strongly that this team should be playing better and was not performing at a level that we have come to expect," Lombardi said. "The degree to which we have struggled was a big factor."
San Jose got off to a slow start while goalie Evgeni Nabokov and defenseman Brad Stuart held out, but their returns haven't helped the Sharks' poor play on both ends.
Sutter, the fifth coach in Sharks history, is the team's career leader in wins, winning percentage and games coached. He finished with a 192-182-60 mark and five straight playoff appearances since taking over in 1997.
"Darryl Sutter has made an important contribution to the success and improvement of the San Jose Sharks," team president Greg Jamison said. "Unfortunately, at this time, we determined that a change was necessary. There is still a lot of hockey to be played this season."
Sutter coached the Chicago Blackhawks for three seasons from 1992-95 and reached the playoffs each year. He also never missed the postseason during his eight seasons as an NHL player with the Blackhawks.
Doug Wilson, the Sharks' director of pro development, and scout Cap Raeder will coach the team until a new head coach is named.
With San Jose off to a disappointing 8-12-2-2 start, general manager Dean Lombardi decided to replace Sutter, who had led the Sharks to five consecutive seasons of improved point totals. He couldn't do anything this season with an underachieving team.
"Darryl was an integral part of the growth of this team the past five seasons. This was not an easy decision to make," Lombardi said.
Following Saturday night's 3-2 home loss to Phoenix, the Sharks are mired in last place in the Pacific Division, which they won last season.
"We felt strongly that this team should be playing better and was not performing at a level that we have come to expect," Lombardi said. "The degree to which we have struggled was a big factor."
San Jose got off to a slow start while goalie Evgeni Nabokov and defenseman Brad Stuart held out, but their returns haven't helped the Sharks' poor play on both ends.
Sutter, the fifth coach in Sharks history, is the team's career leader in wins, winning percentage and games coached. He finished with a 192-182-60 mark and five straight playoff appearances since taking over in 1997.
"Darryl Sutter has made an important contribution to the success and improvement of the San Jose Sharks," team president Greg Jamison said. "Unfortunately, at this time, we determined that a change was necessary. There is still a lot of hockey to be played this season."
Sutter coached the Chicago Blackhawks for three seasons from 1992-95 and reached the playoffs each year. He also never missed the postseason during his eight seasons as an NHL player with the Blackhawks.
