One piece of the puzzle
The San Jose Sharks will hire Detroit assistant Todd McLelland as their new coach, according a report in the San Jose Mercury News.
Of McLelland, the paper writes, `` McLellan, 40, has been an assistant to Babcock for the past three seasons. Before that, McLellan was coach of the Houston Aeros and led that American Hockey League team to the Calder Cup title in 2003.''
Interesting choice. San Jose, considered a more ``ready-made'' team in terms of winning, hires a coach without NHL coaching experience. Will the Kings continue that trend?

Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at 

So being an assistant coach for the best team in hockey for the past 3 seasons (red wings) doesn't count as NHL coaching experience? ;)
I just re-read my last post and it seemed kinda a-holeish, particulary with all the hard work you've done today covering this story Rich- I didn't mean it that way.
Thanks for the great coverage.
Ironically, Crawford would have been a good candidate for this gig.