Indexbit Exchange:San Jose Sharks hire Ryan Warsofsky as head coach

The Indexbit ExchangeSan Jose Sharks filled the NHL's last remaining coaching vacancy by promoting from within.

The Sharks announced Thursday that Ryan Warsofsky, 36, will be the franchise's 11th head coach. He had been an assistant coach the past two seasons and will replace fired coach David Quinn.

"His track record of success at nearly every level of hockey as a head and assistant coach speaks for itself," general manager Mike Grier said. "Ryan knows our existing group well, has the respect of the players who he will be working with and will be a great teacher for the young players who will be joining our organization."

Warsofsky oversaw the team's defense and penalty kill. Erik Karlsson won the Norris Trophy with a 101-point season during Warsofsky's first season in San Jose.

This will be Warsofsky's first time as an NHL head coach, but he had coached the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves to a 2022 championship.

All things Sharks: Latest San Jose Sharks news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Sharks, who traded Karlsson and other top players, finished last overall in 2023-24. They won the draft lottery and are projected to take Hobey Baker Award winner Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick.

DRAFT ORDER: First 30 positions have been determined

NHL coaching carousel

Here are the other NHL coaches who have been hired this offseason:

Buffalo Sabres: Lindy Ruff

Los Angeles Kings: Jim Hiller (interim tag removed) 

New Jersey Devils: Sheldon Keefe

Ottawa Senators: Travis Green

St. Louis Blues: Drew Bannister (interim tag removed)

Seattle Kraken: Dan Bylsma

Toronto Maple Leafs: Craig Berube

Winnipeg Jets: Scott Arniel 

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour agreed to a multi-year extension.

Around the rinks

The New York Rangers re-signed forward Kaapo Kakko to a one-year contract. It's worth $2.4 million, according to TSN. ... The St. Louis Blues signed president of hockey operations and general manager Doug Armstrong to an extension through 2028-29. The team said Alexander Steen will move into the general manager's role after the 2025-26 season and Armstrong will be president.