The 2024-25 NHL season is formally right here. This marketing campaign has the potential to be one other very entertaining 12 months, as a number of groups across the league made massive adjustments to their rosters.
Whereas the brand new season affords a clear slate, there are some coaches to observe extremely intently through the begin of the 12 months. Due to this, let’s focus on 4 coaches who’re hot-seat candidates heading into the brand new season.
Jim Montgomery – Bruins
The Bruins have had an unsightly begin to the season. They at present have an 8-7-2 document, and the first causes for it have been their poor offense and lack of self-discipline. With the Bruins having excessive expectations, this sort of begin is unacceptable, and Jim Montgomery’s seat is getting hotter due to it.
Whereas Montgomery is just not the one one responsible for the Bruins’ poor begin, it’s actually honest to surprise about his job safety. He has created chatter as a hot-seat candidate earlier than, and this may solely proceed to be the case if the Bruins maintain struggling.
Potential Substitute: Gerard Gallant may very well be a coach who grabs the Bruins’ consideration. He has loads of expertise teaching groups with excessive expectations and gained the Jack Adams Award again in 2018.
Mike Sullivan – Penguins
Issues are horrible with the Penguins proper now, and Mike Sullivan’s seat is undoubtedly getting hotter. The Penguins at present have a 6-9-2 document, and they aren’t exhibiting any indicators of enchancment. In actual fact, issues have solely been getting worse.
The Penguins notably allowed six first-period objectives towards the Stars of their final sport. In addition they have gained solely three out of their final 10 video games. Thus, Sullivan is a coach to observe extremely intently from right here.
Generally, groups want a brand new voice within the room, and the Penguins look like overdue at this level.
Potential Substitute: Jay Woodcroft is one coach the Penguins ought to watch intently. Whereas his time with the Oilers ended poorly, he had loads of success teaching superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. In consequence, he may do the identical with the Penguins’ high weapons.
Derek Lalonde – Purple Wings
Issues haven’t been good with the Purple Wings to date this season. They’ve a 6-7-1 document and are at present seventh within the Atlantic Division. As a consequence of their dangerous begin, Derek Lalonde is as soon as once more a chief hot-seat candidate.
Lalonde’s job safety was questioned massive time this offseason after the Purple Wings’ poor end to the 2023-24 marketing campaign. Whereas they elected to maintain him round, it’s honest to surprise how for much longer of a leash he can have from right here. If Detroit doesn’t flip issues round, an enormous change behind the bench may very well be coming.
Potential Substitute: Dave Hakstol is a coach to observe if the Purple Wings need to make a change behind the bench. He has loads of expertise and will assist the Purple Wings get again heading in the right direction due to it.
Andrew Brunette – Predators
The Predators had an enormous summer time, bringing in Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Nonetheless, even after making some big-time strikes, they’ve began their season off with a 5-9-2 document. With this, head coach Andrew Brunette’s seat is getting hotter.
The Predators are anticipated to be one of many high groups within the Western Convention this season, however they’ve been removed from it. In the event that they proceed to wrestle early on, it might not be notably shocking if we noticed the Predators make a change behind the bench.
Potential Substitute: Todd McLellan may very well be an attention-grabbing coach for Nashville to herald. Whereas his time with the Kings led to a poor vogue, he has had quantity of success within the NHL and can be coach for Nashville to have.
