Predicting Whether Each New NHL Coach Will Be a Success or Failure in 2015-16

The NHL will have seven new coaches in place when the 2015-16 season opens. That's a 26 percent overhaul and includes only offseason totals, but it underlines just how difficult the job of coaching in the NHL has become over the years.

Every coach is hired to be fired, but there are varying degrees of security and promise. Some new coaches are among the most respected in the game, and their new jobs come with the expectation of long-term employment and much success.

Others are helping with the rebuild and could be down the line before the next time their team makes the playoffs. Here are the seven new coaches with a prediction of their success in 2015-16.

Buffalo Sabres: Dan Bylsma

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

The Backstory: Dan Bylsma spent more than five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning a Stanley Cup in 2009. Joe Yerdon of NHL.com wrote about the hiring on May 28 and also gave insight into Bylsma bringing a fresh face and a culture of winning to the Buffalo Sabres.

The Expectation: Buffalo has added some major talent over the summer, with Jack Eichel's selection at the draft and the trades for Ryan O'Reilly and Robin Lehner changing the depth chart in a big way. They are not looking at a long rebuild similar to the Edmonton Oilers over the last several years, and being competitive now is the goal, based on their recent transactions.

Success or Failure? Bylsma will be a success in Buffalo. This is a very nice spot for the veteran coach, and the Sabres did well in getting him. A lot of famous names were available, and Buffalo may have hit big with Mike Babcock had things turned out a different way. Bylsma is no consolation prize, but rather a bona fide NHL coach with a solid track record.

Detroit Red Wings: Jeff Blashill

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The Backstory: The Detroit Red Wings acted on Ken Holland's instinct when naming Jeff Blashill as their head coach for 2015-16. A June story from Paul Harris of NHL.com details the story, including a few comments about Blashill's style being a little less hard-line compared to predecessor Mike Babcock.

The Expectation: Detroit has been in transition mode with its roster for a couple of seasons, and Blashill knows these young players from his time coaching them with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Red Wings fans should expect a competitive season, but the team is also waiting for this generation's impact players to emerge. 

Success or Failure? There's a strong chance Blashill doesn't stay long in the head job in Detroit. The Red Wings have some issues, and the team's difference-makers are aging. Detroit has enjoyed incredible success going back to the turn of the century, and there's a lot of pressure for Blashill as he enters the NHL head coaching fraternity. Despite being in a very good spot with a strong, mature management group behind him and a substantial amount of talent to coach, the transition from Mike Babcock to success after him probably takes a more experienced hand.

Edmonton Oilers: Todd McLellan

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The Backstory: The Edmonton Oilers acquired a top-flight coach in May when Todd McLellan signed with them. The story was covered by Derek Van Diest for NHL.com and includes reaction to the draft lottery win and taking over a talented young team. 

The Expectation: Edmonton has a long way to go despite the talent, and fans need to be patient—again. The playoffs are probably out of reach even with all of the changes for the better.

Success or Failure? McLellan should be an overwhelming success in Edmonton; this is an easy call. He has a low bar for improvement, but there is pressure to ice a competitive team that can win games with some consistency. Fans will be thrilled if the defensive structure resembles what the other 29 teams bring to town, and if the Oilers get to 90 points the locals may plan a parade.

New Jersey Devils: John Hynes

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The Backstory: The New Jersey Devils and their new GM, Ray Shero, added John Hynes as their next head coach in June. Hynes was hired by Shero when running the Pittsburgh Penguins operation, and Hynes coached for five seasons in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Evan Sporer covered the story for NHL.com and in the article disclosed that Shero's No. 1 choice for the Devils' job was Hynes. 

The Expectation: New Jersey's roster has older and younger players, but very few men in their prime seasons. The Devils haven't been to the playoffs since 2012, but an improvement over last year's 78 points would seem reasonable.

Success or Failure? Hynes is in a good spot and should succeed long term, although this season is likely to have some trials. Shero hired him, and that gives the coach some genuine security in these early months when they're trying to infuse some youth into an older, faltering roster. There's no guarantee, and a poor start could derail this relationship in a hurry, but the longer things go, the better chance Hynes is around for a long time. 

Philadelphia Flyers: Dave Hakstol

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Backstory: The Philadelphia Flyers went off the board in hiring college coaching legend Dave Hakstol as their next coach. The NHL.com story from Adam Kimelman details Hakstol's impressive record at North Dakota and Flyers GM Ron Hextall's appreciation of his coaching style. 

The Expectation: The Flyers have careened in and out of the playoffs over the last four seasons but seem to have some focus and direction. It's not a championship roster, but the playoffs are a reasonable goal.

Success or Failure? It is unlikely this relationship lasts. History doesn't offer a lot of promise, as the college-to-NHL transition can be a very tricky one. The relationship between coach and player at different levels and the very specific strategy in the NHL make this a long shot to last. If Hakstol makes the grade, he should receive enormous credit—Bob Johnson is the only man to have managed the transition from college coach to NHL success with no big league experience.

San Jose Sharks: Peter DeBoer

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The Backstory: The San Jose Sharks hired Peter DeBoer as their new head coach in late May. Eric Gilmore of NHL.com had the story, including the news that DeBoer had been considered for the Sharks job seven years ago. San Jose settled on Todd McLellan at that time but was delighted DeBoer was available this time. 

The Expectation: A team that has missed the playoffs only twice this century has an easy goal for 2015-16: Get back to the playoffs.

Success or Failure? This marriage will likely end in failure. San Jose is not an ideal landing spot for an NHL coach, even a qualified one like DeBoer. The Sharks ownership has been shuffling since early 2013, and it appears to have impacted what was once a model franchise. There have been unusual hockey decisions since then, and until the team can re-establish itself as a perennial Stanley Cup contender, questions will remain.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mike Babcock

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The Backstory: The Toronto Maple Leafs won the Mike Babcock sweepstakes during an unusual few days in May. The NHL.com story confirms that Toronto, the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks all received permission from the Detroit Red Wings to talk to Babcock. 

The Expectation: Babcock's presence behind the bench would seem to be enough to guarantee a playoff spot, but the roster isn't close to the Detroit Red Wings at this time. 

Success or Failure? This is a home run for Toronto and for Babcock. If the team misses the playoffs, a great draft pick is the result. If they make it to the postseason, it will involve exceptional effort from an outgunned team.