Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Former Shark 'deep in the process' of becoming team's HC
Marco Sturm. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

According to a report from Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now a few days ago, the San Jose Sharks were believed to be closing in on Ryan Warsofsky as their next head coach. 

However, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports, citing Peng, that Marco Sturm is also thought to be deep in the interview process, which has been delaying the eventual announcement of the new bench boss.

At the very least, despite numerous candidates being rumored for the role, Sturm and Warsofsky are separating themselves from the pack. Jeff Blashill is the only other candidate confirmed to have gotten a second interview, but it is believed that his chances of becoming the next head coach in San Jose have dropped significantly.

The hiring of Sturm would represent a homecoming of sorts, as he started his professional career as a player with the Sharks organization back in 1997-98 after being signed out of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. 

Sturm spent nearly eight years in San Jose before he was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for the eventual Hart Memorial Trophy winner of the 2005-06 season, Joe Thornton.

After his playing career ended after the 2011-12 NHL season, Sturm bounced around as a head coach at the international level for Team Germany, coaching the country’s World Junior Championship team, World Championship team and Deutschland Cup team, among others. 

It wasn’t until the 2018-19 season that Sturm returned to the NHL as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings. Sturm would spend four years in that role before finally becoming the head coach of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, a position which he still holds.

Sturm has coached the Reign to a 76-55-8-5 record over the last two years and has coached the team as far as the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs. 

If the Sharks hire Sturm as the organization’s next head coach, it would be the highest role Sturm has achieved at the professional level as a coach.

Nevertheless, no decision has been made up to this point, and Warsofsky still has a legitimate chance of being the team’s next head coach. 

Having plenty of experience with the organization, Warsofsky has spent the last two years as an assistant coach for the Sharks and almost became the head coach before San Jose ultimately chose David Quinn.

This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Vancouver Canucks Connected To Struggling Former First Round Pick On The Trade Market
NHL

Vancouver Canucks Connected To Struggling Former First Round Pick On The Trade Market

The Vancouver Canucks clearly need an upgrade down the middle, and now Trevor Beggs has hinted they may have significant interest in Buffalo's Josh Norris. This past season saw plenty of movement at the trade deadline, and while some moves paid off big, others did not, with a great example of the latter being Josh Norris acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. The talented yet injury prone centre was a key piece in a move that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators, and while the Sabres had hopes of turning his career around, thus far, the injuries have struck again as he played in just three games after being acquired. With the team looking to push back into playoff contention, they may grow impatient with Norris, and given the Vancouver Canucks desires to upgrade down the middle, it's no surprise that they've now been linked to the 26-year old. Because he's good friends and a former college roommate of Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris will always be on the trade-market radar for Canucks fans. Norris only played three games with the Sabres before getting injured following the trade deadline. If he gets off to a subpar start in Buffalo, an organization that has missed the playoffs for 14 straight years can't afford to be patient with an injury-riddled 26-year-old, can they? That speculation comes from Locked on Canucks host Trevor Beggs, who believes that Norris' talent and his connection to Quinn Hughes make him an ideal trade candidate for the Canucks, a team that have undergone plenty of roster turnover in recent times. If Norris stays healthy and the Sabres start well, it's unlikely that they'll want to move him after he combined for 35 points in 56 games a year ago, but if that doesn't happen, don't be surprised to see Vancouver try and buy low on him.

Raiders DC Patrick Graham couldn't be happier that one of his star pupils is back looking how he's supposed to look
NFL

Raiders DC Patrick Graham couldn't be happier that one of his star pupils is back looking how he's supposed to look

The Las Vegas Raiders were without Malcolm Koonce last season after he tore his ACL before the season started. So, they had to rely on production from other players, like Charles Snowden, K'Lavon Chaisson, Tyree Wilson, and others. And, to be fair to those guys, it worked -- despite all of the injuries the Raiders had on the defensive line last season, to Koonce, Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Tyree Wilson, the defensive line was still really, really good, and that's props to Robbie Leonard, the DL coach. Now, it's been a year -- Koonce, who hasn't played in a year, was brought back as a free agent on a one-year deal, where he will get to prove himself, that he's still the same guy despite the injury. If he is, they will likely bring him back on a bigger, long-term deal. If he's not, then the Raiders may just move on. Koonce has been back at camp, and the Raiders couldn't be happier to see him. Patrick Graham is happy to see Malcolm Koonce at training camp “I'm excited for him to get a chance to get out there and get better. I'm glad he’s back. His energy both on the field and in the classroom is infectious. The fact that he goes out there and executes at a high level, it’s always encouraging to see that, and it’s a good example for other players," defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said on Day 4 of training camp. 2023 was a crazy season for Koonce. His performance was particularly notable in the second half of the season, where he recorded six of his eight sacks and 10 of his 17 quarterback hits in the final four games, with a standout game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, where he notched a career-high three sacks and eight pressures against Patrick Mahomes. He was balling, for sure. His performance surged after Week 8, with 35 pressures, seven sacks, six tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles, establishing him as one of the NFL’s top pass rushers during that stretch. If the Raiders can get that back in 2025, things are going to get scary for the rest of the league.

Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
NFL

Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice

Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.

49ers' Brock Purdy Receives Major George Kittle Update
NFL

49ers' Brock Purdy Receives Major George Kittle Update

San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Iowa State star Brock Purdy is gaining more chemistry with his tight end, George Kittle. This offseason, Purdy bought a house in Nashville, Tennessee, making it easier to get to Kittle's compound for extra training. “With Brock down there, it’s really fun,” Kittle said. “They give us a list of routes that they want us to focus on, and for us to be able to run 20, 30, 40 routes, two to three days a week, that helps me. So when we get back and we show up here, it’s not like we are running routes for the first time and have that rust.” Kittle is coming off a great 2024 season, where he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. “Obviously, got some work with Kittle, Mason Pline,” Purdy said. “Obviously at George’s place it’s just a bunch of tight ends and everything, but really good work that we got, so I was excited about that.” Kittle has been Purdy's top target since he became the starting quarterback. In the 2024 season, Purdy completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 3,864 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Purdy has been an efficient passer since his time with the Cyclones. In his senior season with Iowa State, Purdy completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 3,188 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. With the extra offseason work, Purdy and Kittle have strengthened their connection, and they should have a great 2025 season. Read More Iowa State Cyclones Coverage

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!