The first ax swung Wednesday morning as Canadiens common supervisor Marc Bergevin handed head coach Claude Julien his strolling papers.
Was it a shock transfer? Somewhat. The Canadiens made large strikes in the offseason and began the season like gangbusters. But in latest weeks that success had slowed to a crawl. After shedding six of their final eight and three straight, together with two to the Senators, Bergevin made the first firing of the season. To be truthful, that was most likely the solely shock — that Julien was the first to go.
A bunch of bench bosses have been rumored to be on skinny ice for some time however nonetheless have jobs regardless of their golf equipment nonetheless struggling. With Julien now on the market, there may very well be an inflow of coaches on the lookout for work. Last 12 months, following the firing of Mike Babcock by the Maple Leafs, John Hynes (Devils), Pete DeBoer (Sharks), Peter Laviolette (Predators), Gerard Gallant (Golden Knights) and Bruce Boudreau (Wild) had been all let go earlier than the season completed. (Jim Montgomery and Bill Peters had been additionally fired, however for off-ice conduct.)
As the NHL approaches the 50-percent mark of this 56-game dash, the separation between the cream of the crop and the backside of the barrel of every division is minimal, however there are obvious points with the backside groups.
Here’s a take a look at 5 coaches who may very well be pink-slipped subsequent.
Five coaches on the hot seat
(In alphabetical order.)
Travis Green, Vancouver Canucks
Record: 8-14-2, sixth in the North Division
Why: Canucks proprietor Francesco Aquilini could have given Green and common supervisor Jim Benning a vote of confidence again on Hockey Day in Canada, however what number of occasions have we have seen that and somebody nonetheless will get the ax?
The Canucks went from one in all the darlings of the summer time playoff bubble to the North Division basement. While the crew has knocked in 67 objectives (tied for third in the division), it has allowed 85 (second-worst). The energy play lacks the oomph it had final 12 months when it was 24.2 % efficient; in 2021, it is at 15.9. It additionally does not assist that the crew’s heavy hitters — Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes — have struggled on each ends and in all conditions.
MORE: Canucks owner gives vote of confidence to Benning, Green
Here’s the factor, although: The Canucks have the potential to be one in all the 4 groups to make the postseason from the North, however issues are simply not connecting proper now. An enormous a part of the cause is on the again finish. It’s evident that the lack of Jacob Markstrom, who completed fourth in Vezina Trophy voting final 12 months, left a giant gap in internet; his large stops lined up defensive lapses.
But the greater loss has been two defensemen who left in free company: Troy Stecher and, extra notably, Chris Tanev. The veteran Tanev was not solely a voice in the locker room but in addition the protection associate of rookie Quinn Hughes, who flourished final season and completed second for the Calder Trophy.
Without Tanev, Hughes’ common particular person shot makes an attempt at 5v5 per sport have dipped barely from 2.66 to 2.42 whereas his particular person Scoring Chances For have seen a extra staggering drop, from 0.71 to 0.54 (per Natural Stat Trick). Hughes has additionally taken extra hits when on the ice at 5v5 with out his protector in Tanev, and the crew’s anticipated Goals For when Hughes is on the ice in all strengths have gone from 82.16 to a cringy 30.2. If you need to have a look at the most elementary of stats, he is minus-14.
Will Green be fired? It’s most likely 50-50 when you think about the vote of confidence, the proven fact that Green’s contract expires at the finish of the season, the lack of initiative they’ve proven and how dangerous the crew has appeared vs. how good it has additionally checked out occasions. He could find yourself being the scapegoat, however the man who ought to actually get minimize is Benning for his roster building.
John Hynes, Nashville Predators
Record: September 11-0, sixth in the Central Division
Why: Hynes was anticipated to return in and shake up the Predators, who had been struggling final season underneath then-head coach Peter Laviolette. Instead, there’s nonetheless an absence of twangy goodness in Nashville as the Predators proceed their poor play in 2021.
Since Hines has taken over, the crew is 31-31-1 over two seasons, which is not nice when you think about the expertise on the crew, together with 2020 Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi. But as with various other gamers — notably Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen and Ryan Ellis — Josi has struggled to place up factors and the crew general has appeared misplaced at occasions.
The Predators have one of the best Corsi For percentages in the NHL at 5v5 and is ranked second in the Central Division (53.51). It’s nice that they’ve 121 extra shot makes an attempt than their opponents however when these 922 shot makes an attempt translate to simply 491 photographs on objective and solely 28 objectives, it isn’t nice. At 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick, the crew has only a 43.75 Goals For proportion. And issues are no higher with the man benefit (16.9 %); the solely crew worse in the division is the Red Wings.
After shedding three straight (one to the Panthers and two to the Lightning), the Predators have reverted to the previous dependable state: inconsistency. Win one, lose two. Win two, lose one. Not nice for a membership in the similar division as the two groups that performed in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, plus the Hurricanes and Panthers.
Will Hynes be fired? Maybe, however the query then is: Who would are available in?
Ralph Krueger, Buffalo Sabres
Record: 6-9-3, eighth in the East Division
Why: Another season of hockey in Buffalo. Another disappointing season of hockey in Buffalo. Another disappointing season of hockey in Buffalo the place the name for the head coach to be fired is ringing.
Things gave the impression to be wanting up for the Western New York membership when the crew introduced in Taylor Hall to enhance the likes of Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner. Instead, simply shy of 45 days into the season, Skinner is a frequent wholesome scratch and there are rumors Eichel, who’s out with a lower-body damage, is on the commerce block.
Buffalo has scored a division-worst 42 objectives thanks to a few shutouts and three video games the place they’ve buried only one puck. Considering that is a 3rd of the crew’s video games performed, it is comprehensible why they’re the place they’re. But this is a enjoyable reality: They have the greatest energy play in the East (32.8 %).
The schedule hasn’t helped the Sabres, which might clarify their lackluster effort. They have not had a lot relaxation because of a COVID-19-related pause in video games and coaching, and they do not have two consecutive days off till April 4-5.
You can blame the schedule all you need, however each crew has powerful stretches with the season being compacted and impacted by the pandemic. The greatest eye-opener for the Sabres: Hall has one objective, Eichel has two and Skinner has zilch. That will not minimize it.
Will Krueger be fired? Who is aware of, however the Pegulas do like to fireplace individuals (i.e., Jason Botterill and Chris Taylor) so they might pull the set off.
David Quinn, New York Rangers
Record: 7-8-3, sixth in the East Division
Why: The Rangers have a few of the high younger expertise in the NHL in Adam Fox, Alexis Lafrenière, K’Andre Miller and netminders Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev. They even have 2020 Hart Trophy finalist Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and somebody who could have hit 50 objectives final 12 months had the season not been halted in Mika Zibanejad.
Sounds nice, proper?
Well, as a substitute, this crew has struggled with consistency — and it was evident from the leap when it opened the season with a 4-0 loss to the Islanders and then adopted it up with a 5-0 win over the similar crew two nights later. Like his predecessor, Alain Vigneault, Quinn has struggled with in-game changes, and as with 2019 second general decide Kaapo Kakko, there are questions on how he’s using and growing Lafrenière. The first general decide in 2020 has been spectacular at each stage however solely has two objectives and an help in 18 video games. He additionally has not spent sufficient time taking part in with the top-tier expertise he must be profitable in his first season.
Outside of Friday’s six-goal explosion in opposition to the Bruins, the Rangers have struggled on offense. Entering that sport, that they had simply 42 objectives, tied for sixth in the division with Buffalo regardless of averaging 31.4 photographs on objective. They additionally had the division’s worst energy play (15.1 %) however the most shot makes an attempt (205) with the man benefit (they went 1 for 4 in opposition to Boston).
What ails the squad, in response to (*3*), is 5v5: 48.70 Corsi For proportion (seventh in the East), 48.64 Scoring Chances For proportion (sixth) and a 78.57 High-Density Save Percentage (sixth).
Will Quinn be fired? The one optimistic for Quinn is that this crew does seem to indicate up for video games; it simply cannot get on the board. Zibanejad is snakebitten, which does not assist, particularly with Panarin taking time without work for private causes. He might nonetheless be on a brief leash, which is why veteran bench boss Jacques Martin was introduced in when Lindy Ruff moved throughout the Hudson River to the Devils in the offseason.
Geoff Ward, Flames
Record: 10-10-2, fifth in North Division
Why: It has been eight years since Miikka Kiprusoff manned the crease in the Saddledome, and it has been equally lengthy since the Flames had a dependable netminder. This offseason, GM Brad Treliving went out and grabbed the high free-agent goalie on the market in Jacob Markstrom, spending a boatload ($36 million over six years).
That transfer, together with a sprinkling of other newcomers ought to have despatched the message that the time is nigh to be a Stanley Cup contender. It seems to be as if that message didn’t make its approach from the GM’s workplace to the locker room.
Inconsistency has been the key phrase for the Flames this season. The lineup has clicked on all cylinders a handful of occasions, however most of the time it has appeared atrocious from puck drop. Entering Saturday’s sport with Ottawa, Calgary had scored a North Division-worst 12 objectives in the first interval and allowed virtually double that whole (23). (It did outscore Ottawa 3-1 in the first interval.) The solely interval wherein the Flames have a optimistic objective differential is the third, and they’re simply plus-2 after Brady Tkachuk’s tally. Not a terrific look whenever you’re being outscored 47-38 in the first two frames.
And whereas they might come flying out of the gate at occasions, as soon as they go down in the opening 20 their document is 4-8-0, or 33 %. It’s even worse when trailing after two durations (1-9-0). That principally interprets to: There’s no get-up-and-go, there is no depth, there is no combat from this group when issues begin or get onerous. Ward struggles with in-game changes too, and whereas he has used the previous blender in latest video games, he is nonetheless not discovering the proper combos.
One factor Ward can do is attempt to hearth up lightning rod Matthew Tkachuk, who not too long ago put the onus on himself for the Flames’ poor play. The membership’s high point-getter final season (61 factors in 69 video games) has been just about nonexistent this 12 months (16 factors in 22 video games). He did present some chunk in the Flames’ two video games in opposition to the Leafs this week (one win, one extra time loss) however he wants to steer by instance and convey that each evening.
Will Ward be fired? Ward has only one extra 12 months on his deal and the Flames have made various teaching modifications in the previous couple of years. How many? Well, contemplate this: Captain Mark Giordano is on his eighth head coach in 15 seasons with the membership. It wouldn’t be an excellent look if one more coach is proven the door.
Having stated that, if the crew reveals the similar effort — or lack thereof — that it confirmed Thursday evening in Ottawa, he simply could also be the subsequent one to go.
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