NHL Coaches on the Hot Seat at the 2016 All-Star Break
As the NHL All-Star break approaches, several coaches are feeling the heat. Anaheim Ducks bench boss Bruce Boudreau (pictured above) and Ottawa Senators coach Dave Cameron are among those under pressure to bolster the performances of their struggling clubs.
So far, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins are the only clubs to replace their coaches this season. Several on this list could suffer the same fate if their respective teams fail to significantly improve before season's end. Others could find their long-term futures in doubt if their clubs make early exits from the playoffs.
In the following slideshow, we'll examine several NHL coaches on the hot seat at the All-Star break. Feel free to weigh in with your opinion in the comments section below.
Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers
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Under the guidance of head coach Alain Vigneault, the New York Rangers marched to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final and won the 2015 Presidents' Trophy as the top regular-season team. A former winner of the Jack Adams Award, Vigneault was a finalist in 2015. Entering this season, expectations of another run to the Stanley Cup Final were sky high.
Approaching the All-Star break, however, the Rangers aren't as dominant as in recent seasons. Since Dec. 1, they've won only 10 of 24 games. On Jan. 18, the New York Post's Larry Brooks cited repeated defensive-zone breakdowns behind the Blueshirts' woes.
Vigneault's job isn't in jeopardy, but the pressure's on to improve the Rangers' performance. A low playoff seeding, followed by an early postseason exit, could raise questions about his tenure in New York.
Peter Laviolette, Nashville Predators
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In Peter Laviolette's first season as head coach of the Nashville Predators, he guided them to a 104-point finish and second place in the Central Division. As a result, Laviolette was a finalist for the 2015 Jack Adams Trophy.
It's been a bumpier ride this season for Laviolette and the Predators. They're jockeying with several clubs for one of the Western Conference wild-card berths. Offense is their big problem, as the stats for their leading scorers are well below last season's pace. Starting goalie Pekka Rinne's struggles this season haven't helped.
These issues cannot be laid solely at the feet of Laviolette. As head coach, however, it's up to him to find a way for the Predators to overcome these obstacles. He'll be under considerable pressure to come up with a playoff-clinching solution.
Michel Therrien, Montreal Canadiens
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Prior to December 2015, the Montreal Canadiens were the NHL's top team. They sat atop the Eastern Conference and league standings, and Habs fans were dreaming of a Stanley Cup this spring. However, the Canadiens have tumbled out of a playoff berth, and head coach Michel Therrien has come under fire.
Since returning as Canadiens bench boss in 2012, Therrien's guided them to two first-place division finishes and to the 2014 Eastern Conference Final. While a lengthy injury to superstar goalie Carey Price is a major factor behind the Habs' recent demise, Therrien's critics are blaming his coaching style.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin shouldered the blame for the club's woes, claiming Therrien and his staff will finish the season. Price's injury and Therrien's contract likely ensures his continued employment beyond this season. That won't ease the pressure he's facing to get the Habs out of their tailspin. It could cast doubt upon his long-term future.
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Claude Julien, Boston Bruins
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After missing the 2015 NHL playoffs, the Boston Bruins underwent a change of management. For weeks, there was speculation head coach Claude Julien would be replaced. New general manager Don Sweeney eventually decided to retain Julien for this season.
Since becoming the Bruins' coach in 2007, Julien's guided them to two Stanley Cup Finals, winning a championship in 2011. The club's struggles last season, however, seemed to suggest the players were growing weary of his demanding ways.
Approaching the All-Star break, the Bruins cling to a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Missing the postseason again will likely cost Julien his job. Reaching the playoffs, however, won't be enough. If the Bruins make an early exit this spring, Sweeney could consider other coaching options.
Dave Cameron, Ottawa Senators
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When the Ottawa Senators replaced Paul MacLean midway through last season with Dave Cameron, they were out of playoff contention and sinking fast. Thanks to Cameron and some stellar goaltending from call-up Andrew Hammond, the Sens staged a last-season rally to qualify for the 2015 postseason.
With Cameron at the helm, there was hope the Senators would significantly improve this season. However, they're once again struggling to reach a playoff spot. Under Cameron, the Senators are this season's worst defensive team. If not for their offense and solid goaltending from starter Craig Anderson, the Sens would be in big trouble.
Cameron's continued employment could depend upon his club's reaching the postseason. Should it slide further out of contention, management could consider another coaching change.
Mike Yeo, Minnesota Wild
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Under head coach Mike Yeo, the Minnesota Wild reached the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, advancing to the conference semifinals twice. Approaching the All-Star break, however, a postseason berth isn't a certainty for the Wild.
For the third straight season, the Wild are struggling midway through the schedule. They're clinging to the final wild-card berth in the Western Conference. They've overcome these slumps in the past, but the fact they're going through this again could raise questions about Yeo's coaching.
Squeaking into the playoffs, followed by another early exit, won't ensure Yeo's long-term future behind the Wild bench. If they fall short again, he could pay the price.
Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets
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Paul Maurice seemed like a breath of fresh air when he took over as head coach of the under-achieving Winnipeg Jets in January 2014. Last season, for the first time since the club relocated from Atlanta to Winnipeg, it reached the playoffs. The Jets finally seemed poised to become a perennial playoff club.
This season, however, the Jets have sunk toward the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They're also among the worst clubs in goals for, goals against and special teams. Despite carrying stars like defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, left wing Andrew Ladd and right wing Blake Wheeler, the Jets continue to underachieve.
If the Jets fail to right the ship soon, big changes could be coming. That includes behind the bench, as Maurice could become a coaching casualty before season's end.
Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks
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When this season began, some observers predicted the Anaheim Ducks would win the Stanley Cup. Having come within one game of reaching last year's Cup Final, the Ducks seemed poised under head coach Bruce Boudreau for a championship run.
Instead, the Ducks struggled throughout this season. While they've improved somewhat in recent weeks, their offense remains the league's worst. That could ultimately hinder their efforts to climb into a playoff spot. Should they clinch a berth, they won't get far with that weak scoring punch.
As long as the Ducks remain in contention, Boudreau likely won't be replaced. Should they stumble and fall back, however, he could face the ax. Even if they reach the postseason, anything less than the Cup Final will likely cost him his job.
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