Predicting Whether Each New NHL Coach Will Be a Success or Failure in 2016-17

During the NHL offseason, the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Ottawa Senators hired new head coaches. Among the notables was Bruce Boudreau, signed by the Wild on May 8 after being fired by the Ducks on April 29. 

The Wild, Ducks, Flames and Senators opted for coaches with NHL experience, while the Avalanche hired their new bench boss from the American Hockey League. All of these coaches, however, face unique challenges in improving the performances of their new clubs in 2016-17. Some could enjoy first-year success, while others could find it elusive. 

Here's a look at the five new NHL coaches and our prediction whether each will encounter success or failure in the upcoming season. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below. 

Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche

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Biography

On Aug 25, the Colorado Avalanche announced the hiring of Jared Bednar as their new head coach. It's his first stint behind an NHL bench. He spent 14 years as a coach in the minors, the last four in the American Hockey League. Last season, he guided the Lake Erie Monsters to the Calder Cup as AHL champions. 

Expectation

After reaching the playoffs in 2014, the Avalanche missed the postseason in each of the last two seasons. Bednar's task is to help this club regain its winning form. Doing so, however, won't be easy.

In 2015-16, the Avs were the NHL's worst puck-possession team (44.69). They also had the third-highest shots against (32.3), the seventh-most goals against (240), the eighth-worst penalty-killing percentage (80.2) and were 21st in goals for with 212.

Bednar must also find a way to help goaltender Semyon Varlamov regain his once-stellar form. Top forwards Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog must elevate their play. Bednar needs his defense corps to adjust quickly to his system.

Success or failure?

Bednar stresses an aggressive, fast-paced system. How well the Avalanche adapt will determine the outcome of this season. They should improve, but probably not enough to reach the playoffs in 2017. The Avs still lack skilled blue-line and checking-line depth. Management must address these issues to give Bednar the players he needs to succeed. 

Glen Gulutzan, Calgary Flames

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Biography

Glen Gulutzan joins the Calgary Flames with two seasons of experience as an NHL head coach. In 130 games with the Dallas Stars from 2011-12 to 2012-13, he had a record of 64 wins, 57 losses and nine overtime losses. From 2013-14 to 2015-16, he was an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks.

Expectation

After surprising everyone by reaching the playoffs in 2015, the Flames finished outside the postseason picture last season. Gulutzan must get this rebuilding club back on track in 2016-17. He has to improve its puck-possession numbers, which were among the league's worst (47.07) in 2015-16. 

Gulutzan's task should be made easier by the offseason additions of goaltenders Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson. They should significantly reduce last season's league-worst goals against (257). The defense corps features solid performers such as Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Dougie Hamilton. 

Up front, Gulutzan has two rising stars in Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan and a potential one in Sam Bennett. He can look to offseason addition Troy Brouwer for grit and leadership. However, he'll need more production from veteran wingers Michael Frolik and Alex Chiasson. 

Success or failure?

The additions of Elliott and Johnson should ensure a substantial improvement in the Flames goaltending. That alone could make them a better team in 2016-17. If Gulutzan can improve their puck possession and coax a strong effort from players such as Bennett, Frolik and Chiasson, the Flames should contend for a playoff spot. 

Guy Boucher, Ottawa Senators

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Biography

After spending nearly two seasons coaching in Switzerland, Guy Boucher makes his NHL return with the Ottawa Senators. From 2010-11 to 2012-13, Boucher had a record of 97 wins, 79 losses and 20 overtime losses as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his rookie season as the Lightning's bench boss, he guided them to the 2011 Eastern Conference Final. 

Expectation

Boucher was brought in to improve their defensive game and lighten the load of overworked goalies Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond. The Senators gave up a league-worst 32.8 shots-against per game last season. 

Offense is another area in need of improvement. While the Senators were ninth last season in goals (230), they generated the fourth-fewest shots on goal (28.4) per game.

Boucher must also ensure his emphasis on defensive play doesn't adversely affect the production of high-scoring defenseman Erik Karlsson. He must also find a way to boost the offensive output of $7 million winger Bobby Ryan. 

Success or failure?

Under Boucher, the Senators' defensive game should improve. If he can achieve that without sacrificing too much of their offensive production, he could succeed in making the Sens a playoff contender in 2016-17. 

Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks

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Biography

This will be Randy Carlyle's second stint as head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. In 434 games behind the Ducks bench from 2005-06 to 2011-12, Carlyle had a record of 273 wins, 182 losses and 61 overtime losses. He also coached them to a Stanley Cup championship in 2007. From 2011-12 to 2014-15, Carlyle had a record of 91-78-19 in 188 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Expectation

Carlyle will be expected to get the Ducks into the Stanley Cup Final, something that eluded his predecessor Bruce Boudreau. In 2015-16, they had the best goals-against average per game (2.29), as well as the top power play (22.3) and penalty kill (87.2) percentages. However, they also had to overcome a poor start to the season. Carlyle must get a more consistent effort from them throughout the upcoming campaign. 

He'll be helped by the Ducks' talented young defense corps, led by rising stars Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm. Promising goaltender John Gibson is entering his first full season as an NHL starter. The offensive attack is led by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, who rose to prominence during Carlyle's previous tenure. 

The Ducks offense, however, could be an area of concern for Carlyle. Getzlaf, Perry and second-line center Ryan Kesler are now in their early-30s, and their best years are behind them. There's a lack of scoring depth on the wings. It remains to be seen how Gibson performs as a full-fledged NHL starter. 

Success or failure?

Carlyle should succeed in keeping the Ducks a playoff team in 2016-17. Whether he can guide them to the Stanley Cup is another matter. He must coax strong performances from Gibson and his veteran scorers. At some point in the season, management must provide him with a scoring winger.

Bruce Boudreau, Minnesota Wild

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Biography

Bruce Boudreau joins the Minnesota Wild with 10 seasons of NHL head-coaching experience. In five years with the Washington Capitals (2007-08 to 2011-12), he had a record of 201 wins, 88 losses and 40 overtime losses. In five seasons with the Anaheim Ducks (2011-12 to 2015-16), his record was 208-104-40.

In 2008, he won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. In 2009-10, he guided the Capitals to the league's best overall record, winning the Presidents' Trophy. 

Expectation

Over the last three seasons, the Wild were inconsistent in the regular season and couldn't get past the second round in the playoffs. Boudreau's decade of experience should bring them some much-needed stability.

Boudreau inherits a solid blue-line corps, anchored by Ryan Suter and carrying such promising defenders as Matt Dumba and Mike Reilly.  He'll need a better effort from starting goalie Devan Dubnyk, whose performance dipped last season after being a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2015. 

Improving the Wild's offense will be a challenge for Boudreau. Last season, they were 19th in goals for (213) and 23rd in shots on goal (29.0) Veterans Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Jason Pominville and Eric Staal are on the downside of their careers. Younger forwards Charlie Coyle, Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter haven't reached their full potential.

Success or failure?

This season should be a success for Boudreau.  He's a well-respected coach who gets strong performances from his players. We should expect a more consistent effort from the Wild this season. The youngsters in the lineup, such as Coyle, Granlund, Niederreiter, Dumba and Reilly, should thrive under his direction. 

Team stats and player info via NHL.com. Coaching records via Hockey-Reference.com.