Thornton jabs at McLellan over ‘family’

San Jose Sharks fans expecting an update on head coach Todd McLellan’s status on Wednesday instead heard another verbal jab from Joe Thornton.

During a Wednesday afternoon media session, Thornton took a shot at McLellan when asked if a coaching change was needed. From CSN Bay Area:

“I have no idea. Todd has to talk to his family. Maybe he should talk to this family as well in here. We’ll see what happens.”

As for McLellan, no decision has been made regarding his future with the team, despite a report that he may depart the team via a “mutual agreement.” McLellan was tight-lipped on Wednesday, and he expects a decision to be made before April 24 when he will leave for the Czech Republic to coach Team Canada in the World Championships.

Thornton, though, did not hold back. In addition to his head coach, he called out his teammates, responding to a question about a possible carryover from their collapse against the Kings last postseason:

“It shouldn’t have. If it did, we don’t want them here. We want tough individuals that can handle adversity. If it did, we don’t want you here.”

Thornton infamously traded barbs with General Manager Doug Wilson in March, telling Wilson to “shut his mouth” when Wilson commented publicly on why Thornton had his captaincy removed.

The controversy surrounding their star player was just one of the reasons why the Sharks finished with the third-lowest point total in their conference and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Not all of the fault can be pinned on McLellan, but the likelihood that he takes the fall and departs remains a strong possibility.