Best Coaches Looking for an NHL Gig

While coaching in the NHL is a fun and very rewarding job, there is no shortage of overturn.

There are only 30 teams, and as a result of coaches getting first shots at a job, many productive and experienced coaches are left in the unemployment line.

Here are a few of the best currently waiting for teams to call.

Honorable Mention: Wayne Gretzky

Star players usually aren't great coaches, and the Great One is no exception. He only coached for a few years in Phoenix and wasn't given a good shot at success.

It didn't help that he was behind the bench when Ovechkin scored the rolling-on-his-back goal, and it really hurt him when his replacement, Dave Tippet, received the Jack Adams his first year on the job.

Georges Laraque called him the worst coach he has ever played for. In Gretzky's defence, Laraque was the worst player he'd ever coached.

Honorable Mention: Marc Crawford

With a coaching record of 549-421-100-77, it might seem odd he is not on my list. His styles are too outdated and his best days are behind him.

He hasn't had post-lockout success in LA or Dallas, and I suggest everyone get used to him on the TSN panel because he won't get another job offer anytime soon.

No. 5: Michel Therrien

Michel has a point percentage of .604, which is pretty respectable. After an outstanding year with the Penguins in 2008 where they reached the final, he was unable to keep momentum going and ultimately lost his job the following year.

Dan Bylsma, his replacement, happily guided the Pens to the Stanley Cup the same year. I am surprised he hasn't been hired yet as he still has plenty more in him, and no shortage of drive and knowledge of the game, either.

No. 4: Jacques Martin

The only thing Jacques Martin needs is better selection.

After a fantastic run in Ottawa where he won the Northeast division three times and the President's trophy once, he chose to put himself in places where he had no chance at success.

He coached a Florida team going nowhere through no fault of his own for three years. Next, he decided to go to media-crazy Montreal on the downswing.

He will get a job again at one point, and hopefully he is a little more selective.

No. 3: Bob Hartley

Bob Hartley won the cup with Colorado through his offensive genius. He would be a great fit in Washington if they decide their Dale Hunter (who surprisingly is only on a one-year contract) experiment is over at season's end.

I am hearing word that he will replace Brent Sutter in Calgary next year, and would be there already if he were not coaching in Switzerland through the remainder of the year.

If he goes to Calgary before they understand their need to rebuild, it won't last long. I think if he were to choose between Washington and Calgary, the Flames would have to look elsewhere.

No. 2: Pat Quinn

The only reason he isn't No. 1 is because I don't know how much he has left in the tank.

With two Jack Adamses, an Olympic gold, a World Cup championship, a Memorial Cup and a fantastic coaching record, it is hard to imagine he has any energy left.

He is 69 years old, and from what I hear he still wants to coach, but it may be the end of the line for Quinn. If it is, we will always remember him as one of the greatest ever.

No. 1: Randy Carlyle

He may have only had one job, but it was a very successful stint.

He is No. 1 because he has the most recent championship, which makes it the most relevant. He was a big part of Anaheim winning in 2007 and was not a big part of why they had such a bad start this season.

I'm really surprised he was on such a short leash after all these years of consistently making the playoffs. Anaheim's loss will be another team's gain in the very near future.