Terry Murray Fired by Los Angeles Kings: 5 Coaches Who Could Be Axed Next

Terry Murray was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings today by Dean Lombardi. He will be replaced by John Stevens on an interim basis.

NHL insider Darren Dreger had this to say about the move:

"

 @DarrenDreger: Dean Lombardi scorched the players in a meeting a short while ago. Very upset he had to fire Murray.

"

There could be a huge shakeup in Los Angeles stemming from this move. Nonetheless, the job of an NHL head coach is one that is very taxing and stressful. If you can't get the job done, an owner can find someone else to do it for you.

With that in mind, here are five head coaches who could be handed a pink slip very soon.

Joe Sacco: Colorado Avalanche

During his four seasons as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sacco has led the Avalanche to the playoffs only once. As the eighth seed, the Avs were bounced from the first round of the 2010 playoffs by the San Jose Sharks.

There seems to be lot going wrong in Colorado, and it is not just Sacco. A recent article by Sports Illustrated pointed out some of the issues going on in ownership and management for the Avs.

A fish stinks at the head, so Sacco may find a pink slip in his stocking this Christmas if things don't turn around soon. The Avalanche have a very talented young team and could use some veteran players and a veteran coach. Until then, fans will continue to curse his name under their breath. 

For more on this, I highly recommend this slideshow by Avs Featured Columnist Kevin Goff.

Record

13-16-1; 27 points

Jack Capuano: New York Islanders

Jack Capuano may have been given a vote of confidence by Garth Snow and Charles Wang, but it isn't exactly a bona fide get-out-of-jail-free card.

It wouldn't be Capuano's fault completely if he gets the gate because he has been a breath of fresh air on the Long Island Sound for the Isles. He seems to genuinely care about the team and wants it to succeed.

Capuano forces his team and his players to be accountable, and that was evident in his postgame press conference after a 6-0 blowout loss at the hands of the Boston Bruins. After a devastating 6-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Capuano's number may be up real soon.

Record

9-12-6; 24 points

Scott Arniel: Columbus Blue Jackets

Scott Arniel's job seems to be always on the line in the eyes of his critics, but he still reports to work each and every day.

Current St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock was rumored to become head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets for a second time when Arniel was rumored to lose his job earlier this year.

However, that changed when the Blues fired then-head coach Davis Payne and "Hitch" packed his bags for St. Louis.

Nonetheless, Arniel and the Blue Jackets have had an abysmal start, and his job could finally be in some serious jeopardy.

Record

8-17-4; 20 points

Brent Sutter: Calgary Flames

Brent Sutter has been an NHL head coach in the league for quite some time now. He coached the New Jersey Devils and took them to the playoffs, but they never made it past the first round.

Now in Calgary, Sutter hasn't had much success. The Flames are a team that really needs to start from scratch. Top forward Jarome Iginla is not getting any younger, nor is starting goalie Miikka Kiprusoff.

Sutter's tenure as head coach of the Calgary Flames appears to be coming to an end. If the Flames truly wish to start from scratch, odds are the head coach will get the gate as well.

Record

14-13-2; 30 points

Peter DeBoer: New Jersey Devils

Zach Parise may leave as a free agent, the Martin Brodeur era appears to be over and Peter DeBoer's job may be on the line if things don't turn around.

The New Jersey Devils have had a bad case of the injury bug so far this season. One of their top centers, Travis Zajac, has missed a good part of the young season. The rising play of Adam Henrique has been impressive but not enough to right the Devils' ship.

One of the most common complaints by Devils fans is that DeBoer constantly rolls out a line featuring both Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. This star-studded combo has not worked, and fans are tired of losing.

John MacLean was fired relatively early last season, only to be replaced by ex-ex-head coach Jacques Lemaire. I doubt Lemaire would return for another stint behind the bench, but I would say DeBoer's job definitely could go up in smoke really soon.

The Devils are currently in a tough division with the Penguins, Rangers and Flyers. Imagine adding the Capitals to this mix next year with only the top four teams making the playoffs.

Record

14-13-1; 29 points

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.