NHL Coaches Most Likely to Be Fired Before New Year's Day

NHL teams begin each season with the best intentions and progress on their minds. There are goals to be reached and pressure to improve on the success of previous seasons. In some NHL cities, winning the Stanley Cup is the expectation—meaning great hope from the beginning of the year.

After Thanksgiving, teams assess their situations and begin to chart new goals based on the first 20 games. In some cases, those adjustments may involve a change behind the bench.

Here are the NHL coaches likely to be fired before New Year's Day.

6. Dave Tippett, Arizona Coyotes

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

What Was Hoped for This Season: The Arizona Coyotes have been outside the playoffs for two seasons in a row after enjoying a nice postseason run earlier in the decade. The depth and quality of the Western Conference means competing for a playoff spot might be a best-case scenario. Coach Dave Tippett is highly respected, and he has a quality coaching resume from his time in Dallas and Arizona. The opening-night roster looked very similar to last season, with small offensive tweaks like Sam Gagner added to help. 

Have Things Gone Well: It has been a very trying season in Arizona. It has gotten to the point where GM Don Maloney threatened to trade players, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie (h/t Dhiren Mahiban of NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk). Maloney followed through, as the club traded Rob Klinkhammer to Pittsburgh on December 5, according to this TSN report.

Can They Turn it Around: Maloney's drastic actions, added to the trade with Pittsburgh, reveal how desperate things are in Arizona. If things continue to go badly, Dave Tippett—who, by reputation, is one of the NHL's best coaches—may be out of work.

5. Peter DeBoer, New Jersey Devils

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

What Was Hoped for This Season: The New Jersey Devils have missed the playoffs three of the last four seasons, but they made it to the finals the other year. Peter DeBoer's NHL coaching record has been decidedly hit-and-miss, both in Florida and New Jersey. An opening-night roster filled with veteran forwards and youth on defense suggested a playoff spot might be a struggle. 

Have Things Gone Well: The Devils are on the outside looking in and losing ground as the weeks roll along. They are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, and there are four teams between New Jersey and the final playoff spot.

Can They Turn it Around: The young Devils are improving as they gain experience, but the club remains a work in progress defensively. New Jersey has allowed too many goals this season to be competitive but is unlikely to discard the youth movement. A coaching change may be an option.

4. Craig Berube, Philadelphia Flyers

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

What Was Hoped for This Season: The Philadelphia Flyers made the playoffs last year after Craig Berube took over as coach early in the season. That seemed repeatable. The team added Andrew MacDonald in the offseason, and its opening-night roster showed some promise. 

Have Things Gone Well: The Flyers have had a tough start to the 2014-15 season. The club is far down in the standings and is 1-7-2 in its last 10 games.

Can They Turn it Around: No team in the NHL is more aggressive than the Flyers. Part of that aggressive approach includes replacing coaches, and Philadelphia has had six since the turn of the century. Berube could fall victim if the losing continues.

3. Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

What Was Hoped for This Season: The San Jose Sharks are in an unusual situation at this time. The team has been a strong in the regular season for years, but it lacks playoff success. As Arpon Basu, managing editor for NHL.com indicates in this article, Sharks GM Doug Wilson was interested in making changes and rebuilding the team. 

Have Things Gone Well: The Sharks are hovering around a playoff spot, which is disappointing based on their talent and recent past.

Can They Turn it Around: In what has to be one of the truly bizarre stories in recent NHL history, the Sharks' current roster is a mixed bag of aging All-Stars, contributing players, youngsters on the rise and fringe enforcers. Half of the team forms the framework of a Stanley Cup contender, and the rest is filled with players who are borderline NHL talent. If the Sharks fall off in the standings, coach Todd McLellan could get fired despite making the best of an unnecessarily bad situation. With his outstanding record, he won't be out of work for long.

2. Todd Richards, Columbus Blue Jackets

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

What Was Hoped for This Season: The Columbus Blue Jackets made the playoffs in 2013-14 for the second time in their history. Fans had every right to expect a repeat trip this year. Coach Todd Richards' record with the team has improved each season.

Have Things Gone Well: The year has been a disaster so far, with the Blue Jackets sitting at the bottom of the standings. Injuries have had a major impact in Columbus, with the team website listing the current players on injured reserve.

Can They Turn it Around: Injuries have devastated the Blue Jackets. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet quotes Columbus President John Davidson saying there won't be short-term moves despite the club being on pace for 550 man-games lost to injury. Richards has little cover if things continue to go badly. One of the few options available is replacing the coach, but the Blue Jackets have won their last two games—perhaps indicating a turn north.

1. Dallas Eakins, Edmonton Oilers

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What Was Hoped for This Season: The Edmonton Oilers haven't made the postseason since 2006. The team wasn't expected to reach the playoffs, but an improvement from No. 28 overall in 2013-14 was the expectation. Dallas Eakins was given more veterans to work with during an aggressive procurement period in the summer.

Have Things Gone Well: The Oilers are currently No. 30 in the NHL overall and are suffering through a 0-6-4 run in their last 10 games. The 2014-15 season has been a disaster in Edmonton.

Can They Turn it Around: It is getting very late for Eakins and the Oilers. There are some good signs, including possession stats that have the team in the top 20 in the league this year. If the Oilers are going to save Eakins' job, the team needs to turn things around very soon. Oilers GM Craig MacTavish met with the media December 5 and admitted everything is under review. If the losses continue, Eakins is likely gone.