NHL Coaches on the Hot Seat
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November is here, and so far, no NHL coaches have been fired. That seems hard to believe, but we might get through one month of the season without a bench boss getting the boot.
Some coaches are here as the heat on their team’s performance, or lack thereof has warranted it. Some are in this position because of their decision-making. It can be a combination of both too.
Is everyone ready to fan the flames a little more? Let’s roll!
Dallas Eakins - Anaheim Ducks
Eakins has a mess in front of him with the Ducks. Anaheim is a young team with some potential. The problem is defensive, as this squad gives up way too many shots and scoring chances for an NHL team.
Anaheim is now 3-7-1, has a -21 goal differential, and their metrics are even worse. Management keeps saying Eakins’ job is safe, but at what point does change come? That may be the burning question.
Andre Tourigny - Arizona Coyotes
Arizona won a game, and it looked like the hot seat further cooled on Tourigny. However, a couple of losses included a 7-2 shellacking from the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Arizona has just one win on the season at home.
The Coyotes’ college-like atmosphere aside hides the fact that this team looks more like an AHL or college team at times.
This is another situation where management has said their coach is not in danger. Arizona finished with just 25 wins last year, and 25 might be an uphill battle this season.
Bruce Boudreau - Vancouver Canucks
Boudreau did get his third win of the season on Thursday, but even then, Vancouver allowed five goals in an 8-5 home win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks’ injuries do not help, but the defense is ranked 31st in the league for a reason.
The problem is Vancouver needs to get healthy. It is hard to assess a team with several prominent players missing from the lineup. That being said, Vancouver has to show a semblance of defense at some point if they want to move up in the division standings.
Again, this expects to be a wild ride. Management is still mulling a move or two. For now, they are in pondering mode.
Dean Evason - Minnesota Wild
For now, David Hakstol has managed to get himself off the hot seat, as Seattle has won three straight games. That included a 4-0 shutout in Minnesota over the Wild on Thursday night. The Kraken now has a better record than the Wild.
Minnesota being .500 11 games into the season was unexpected. Allowing 40 goals is probably more unlikely. So, Evason hops onto the hot seat this week.
One has to wonder how long the Wild malaise will continue.
John Hynes - Nashville Predators
The Predators won a game on Thursday, defeating the Calgary Flames 4-1. Thanks to rest, the Predators recharged and refocused. Now, can Nashville win some games with Juuse Saros in goal? Saros got the night off on Thursday.
Speculation has yet to calm down on Hynes. Nashville is 4-6-1 and 2-6-1 since they left Europe. Saros having just one win on North American soil and Roman Josi being unusually porous defensively is troubling.
Craig Berube - St. Louis Blues
The Blues’ coach finds his way here as Berube and company have now lost six straight games. The Blues cannot score goals and keep giving them up in bunches. Even the Islanders scored five in St. Louis on Thursday night.
St. Louis is now just 1-4 at home this season. While the 2019 Stanley Cup winner does not seem in danger now, at what point do the Blues ponder a change? The seat is getting warm, at least.
Sheldon Keefe - Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs won 5-2 against Philadelphia on Wednesday night, which calmed the rumors about Keefe.
This still feels more like a GM Kyle Dubas problem, but Keefe cannot feel all that safe until Toronto goes on a winning run. The rumor mill is always a little extra for the Maple Leafs.
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