NHL Coaches Most Likely to Be Fired During the 2014-15 Season

It's said that an NHL coach is hired to be fired. While that assessment seems harsh, the coach is often the fall guy if a team fails to play up to expectations. Winning is the name of the game, and those who fail to produce results suffer the consequences.

Any number of factors can result in a coach losing his job during the season. A poor start, a prolonged slump or falling out of playoff contention can threaten his job security. Sometimes, he'll be the scapegoat for management's mistakes. Some coaches start the season with the previous season's failures hanging over them like a dark cloud of doom.

For the 10 NHL coaches on this list, failure to significantly improve their respective clubs' fortunes this season could cost them their jobs before season's end.

10. Mike Babcock, Detroit Red Wings

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Date of hiring: July 15, 2005.

Record entering 2014-15: As Red Wings coach, Mike Babcock compiled 415 wins, 198 losses and 91 overtime losses.

Babcock is in the final season of his contract and claims he's not interested in negotiating during the season, as it will be a distraction. General manager Ken Holland suggests talks could still continue. Babcock's future with the Wings could depend upon the club's performance this season.

MLive.com's Joe Lapointe suggests if the Red Wings play well this season, Babcock can "stay or go and negotiate from strength." If they're mediocre, he and the team could part ways. Lapointe also believes Babcock and management have "grown weary of each other" after a decade together. If so, Babcock could be fired before season's end should the Wings fail to improve.

9. Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Date of hiring: January 12, 2014.

Record entering 2014-15: As Jets head coach, Paul Maurice compiled 18 wins, 12 losses and five overtime losses.

As Maurice entered his first full season as Jets coach, CBC News' Jeff Hamilton wonders if his experience will be enough to guide the Jets to their first playoff appearance following three failed seasons in Winnipeg.

Maurice's biggest challenge is determining the club's identity and style of play. The Jets showed improvement during his short tenure last season, which could raise expectations for 2014-15. Should they struggle again, however, changes could be coming to the roster, the front office and behind the bench.

8. Peter DeBoer, New Jersey Devils

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Date of hiring: July 19, 2011.

Record entering 2014-15: As Devils coach, Peter DeBoer compiled a record of 102 wins, 76 losses and 34 overtime losses.

The Devils' glory days are long behind them. That's hardly DeBoer's fault, as he's done the best he could with the patched-together roster that management has given him. The Devils reached the 2012 Stanley Cup Final during DeBoer's first season behind the bench but haven't returned to the playoffs since.

During a September 11, 2014 interview with The Record's Tom Gulitti, DeBoer acknowledged the possibility he could be fired this season. “In this business, you go into every year knowing that's a fact,” he said, calling it a reality of pro sports. DeBoer could pay the price should the Devils once again fall out of playoff contention.

7. Craig Berube, Philadelphia Flyers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Date of hiring: October 7, 2013.

Record entering 2014-15: As Flyers coach, Craig Berube entered this season with a record of 42 wins, 27 losses and 10 overtime losses.

Berube opens this season working for a new general manager in Ron Hextall, missing a key defenseman in Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) and without the leadership and grit of Scott Hartnell, who was shipped to Columbus this summer for R.J. Umberger.

Berube took over last season after the Flyers dropped their first three games. Should they get off to another slow start, Hextall is unlikely to be as hasty with Berube as his predecessor was with former coach Peter Laviolette. However, if the Flyers struggle through the first half of the season, Hextall could be tempted to ditch the coach he inherited for one of his own choosing.

6. Jack Capuano, New York Islanders

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Date of hiring: November 15, 2010.

Record entering 2014-15: As Islanders coach, Jack Capuano entered this season with a record of 118 wins, 120 losses and 39 overtime losses.

The Islanders have reached the playoffs only once during Capuano's tenure. Much of that cannot be pinned on him, as the club has been rebuilding during that period. But in a September 25, 2014 interview with the New York Post's Brett Cyrgalis, Capuano acknowledged he's entering the most important season of his career with the Isles. 

The Islanders enter this season with a more experienced roster. Management added goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and Chad Johnson, defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy and forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Capuano must ensure these veterans mesh well with his young players. He will bear the brunt of the blame if the Isles miss the postseason again. 

5. Bob Hartley, Calgary Flames

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Date of hiring: May 31, 2012.

Record entering 2014-15: As Flames coach, Bob Hartley's record entering this season was 54 wins, 65 losses and 11 overtime losses.

Hartley has actually done a good job so far with a Calgary team in the midst of a significant rebuild. Though the Flames finished well out of playoff contention last season, they were far more competitive than expected.

The pressure will be on Hartley this season to continue improving this rebuilding roster. He's also in the final season of his contract. NHL.com's Aaron Vickers reports Flames general manager Brad Treliving said negotiations haven't begun yet on a new deal. Hartley claims it won't be a distraction, but it will add to the perception he's a lame-duck coach this season.

4. Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Date of hiring: June 14, 2011.

Record entering 2014-15: Paul MacLean's record entering this season was 102 wins, 79 losses and 30 overtime losses.

MacLean won coach of the year honors in 2013 for guiding a rebuilding Senators roster to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they crashed and burned last season, missing the playoffs while giving up the second-most shots against per game (34.7) in the league.

Management did little during the offseason to improve the Senators defense, relying upon MacLean to work with their young players to improve their overall defensive game. Should that fail to occur, the front office could consider a coaching change. 

3. Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Date of hiring: June 11, 2008.

Record entering 2014-15: Todd McLellan's began this season with a record of 271 wins, 130 losses and 57 overtime losses.

The Sharks have had excellent regular-season records under McLellan. Pro Hockey Talk's Dhiren Mahiban noted McLellan coached the Sharks to six straight playoff appearances. During that time they finished first in the Pacific Division three times and tallied 100-plus points four times. Unfortunately, this club just can't seem to seal the deal in the playoffs.

As Grantland's Katie Baker recently observed, San Jose's epic collapse to the Los Angeles Kings in last spring's conference quarterfinal remains seared in the memories of Sharks management and fans. General manager Doug Wilson opted to stick with McLellan this season, but if the Sharks come up short again, a coaching change could be in order. 

2. Dallas Eakins, Edmonton Oilers

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Date of hiring: June 10, 2013.

Record entering 2014-15: Dallas Eakins began this season with a record of 29 wins, 44 losses and nine overtime losses.

The Oilers failed to improve during Eakins' rookie season as an NHL coach, finishing with the third-worst record in the league. Eakins seemed to struggle to get his players to buy into his system. That was reflected in the power play (21st overall), goals per game (25th) and shots against per game (26th).

Having undergone four coaching changes over five seasons, Oilers management stuck by Eakins. However, the pressure is on for this club to contend for its first playoff berth since 2006. If the Oilers fail to make any significant improvement, Eakins could be replaced.

1. Randy Carlyle, Toronto Maple Leafs

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Date of hiring: March 2, 2012.

Record entering 2014-15: As Leafs coach, Randy Carlyle began this season with a record of 70 wins, 62 losses and 16 overtime losses.

After the Leafs' late-season collapse cost them a berth in the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs, there was speculation Carlyle would get the ax. Instead, the Leafs extended his contract and replaced his assistant coaches.

The Hockey News' Ken Campbell believes Carlyle enters this season on the shortest leash of any NHL coach. One reason is the Leafs were the worst defensive team in the league last season. They gave up the most shots against per game (35.9), while HockeyAnalysis.com ranked them the worst puck-possession team, with a Fenwick-for percentage of 42.3 and a Corsi-for percentage of 42.9.

After reaching the playoffs only once since 2004, there's impatience in Leafs Nation for real improvement. Another poor season by the Maple Leafs could result in Carlyle receiving his walking papers. 

Unless otherwise indicated all team info via NHL.com.