Coaches Hot Seat

Coaches Hot Seat

9/7/18

Going into the 2018-2019 season a handful of coaches are on a hot seat for results, for a varying of reasons. All are going to be pushed for results fast, and if success isn’t being shown in the first few months, most of these coaches could be on the move by December. Here is our list of the top 3 coaches on the hot seat going into this season.

3. Todd McLellan (Edmonton Oilers): Having the best player in the world should bring the Edmonton Oilers success. Not being successful with a franchise with the best player in the world leads for the blame to go elsewhere than on the players. McLellan needs to find a way to make the Edmonton Oilers better. They have the star power, McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl all are playing great hockey in the NHL. McLellan needs to prove he can help this team be great, otherwise he is going to be looking for a job elsewhere.

2. Todd Reirden (Washington Capitals): Filling into Barry Trotz shoes as a head coach for a team is a big challenge, considering Trotz just won the franchise their first Stanley Cup, it is a tremendous challenge. Reirden, a long time assistant coach with the franchise, will have to keep up the winning pedigree that Trotz instilled. This could prove challenging based on the partying habits of the Capitals players during the offseason. Reirden will get plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a head coach, hopefully he can prove he is ready for it.

1. Joel Quenneville (Chicago Blackhawks): Being a 3 time Stanley Cup Champion Coach with one franchise, and the second best coach (based on wins) in the NHL, should earn Q a pass from a bad season with a team. Last season Q used Crawford’s injury as his reason for the season going so bad. This year he will have no excuses. The talent still is present in the Hawks locker room, with Toews, Kane, and Keith anything is possible. This season is very important to prove if Quenneville’s future is with the Chicago Blackhawks or a different franchise.