The 2024-25 NHL season is a couple of month and alter outdated now and it’s undoubtedly not panning out the way in which many had been anticipating. Positive, the early-season rust and chaos spun everybody for a loop, however as issues have settled, there are a good variety of groups nonetheless performing extra poorly than anticipated.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, as an example, have been one of many largest disappointments of the NHL season to this point. Whereas we weren’t excessive on this model of the Penguins from the outset, Pittsburgh’s protection and goaltending are sinking this staff sooner than anybody might have imagined. And as such, requires Mike Sullivan’s firing have escalated in quantity over the previous few weeks because the Penguins look to proper the ship.
So, with Sullivan and the Penguins clearly in thoughts, let’s dive a bit deeper into the 4 NHL head coaches which might be on the recent seat to start the 2024-25 season.
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Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins
Primary with a bullet on this checklist is by far Sullivan, whose depressing Penguins suffered their worst lack of the season but on Monday in a 7-1 drubbing to the Dallas Stars. Issues have gotten so dire that common supervisor Kyle Dubas has said that anybody not named Sidney Crosby is on the commerce block, and we’re not even at Thanksgiving but!
There’s loads of blame to go round in Pittsburgh for a way disappointing issues have been, and Sullivan did assist the staff win back-to-back Stanley Cups, however one thing has to offer with the Penguins. It’s time.
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Derek Lalonde, Detroit Purple Wings
The Purple Wings practically made the playoffs final season, so a 6-7-1 begin just isn’t what you need to see out of Detroit amidst an eight-year postseason drought. Common supervisor Steve Yzerman undoubtedly deserves some warmth for his plan that has but to totally present itself into tangible outcomes, however the first domino to fall in Detroit in the event that they deem this begin unacceptable will possible be Derek Lalonde.
Is it unfair, given the dearth of playoff expertise on this roster? Maybe, however head coaches don’t have a protracted shelf life within the NHL and Lalonde is in his third season with the membership. A firing could possibly be the spark the Purple Wings have to get themselves on monitor once more.
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Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators
The Predators swung for the fences within the offseason with their beautiful additions of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei to their roster. And what has it acquired them? A 5-9-2 file — placing them in a tie for final within the NHL in factors share — and simply 23 mixed factors between their massive identify additions in 16 video games.
Positive, we’ve seen proficient rosters come again from the brink to make a playoff run, however Andrew Brunette might need to take the autumn in Nashville if issues proceed to look grim.
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Martin St. Louis, Montreal Canadiens
On the time in 2022, the Canadiens hiring first-time NHL head coach Martin St. Louis appeared like a poetic begin to this new period in Montreal. The Canadiens’ youth could be fostered and nurtured by a younger, promising head coach beloved by the fanbase as an entire. Nonetheless, with the Canadiens beginning out 5-9-2 this season, one has to marvel if the staff wants a extra skilled voice within the room to information them.
St. Louis might very effectively be an ideal head coach when all is claimed and carried out, however the common rumblings out of Montreal appear to point {that a} veteran presence is required to get this staff again on process.
