Which NHL Head Coaches Are Getting the Pink Slip in 2020-2021? Who is on the Hottest Seat for 2020-2021? Which NHL Head Coaches Are Safe?
Hello Everyone! Welcome to Sports Teller! Today, we will be going over the Top 10 NHL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2020-2021! In fact, we will be going over who could be safe from possible termination in 2020-2021. Without further adieu, let’s begin!
Top 10 NHL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2020-2021
313 Views as of Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Now that the 2020-2021 NHL Season is around the corner, now is the time to start speculating in terms of which NHL head coaches will be on the hot seat. Even though the 2020-2021 NHL Season is a couple weeks from now, it’s never too early to evaluate each head coach’s situation entering the new season.
First, let’s reveal which NHL head coaches appeared to be safe from the hot seat:
Rod Brind’Amour (Hurricanes)
- Back-to-Back Playoff Appearances for the 1st Time Since 2001-2002
- Won a Postseason Series in Consecutive Seasons for the First Time in Franchise History
Barry Trotz (Islanders)
- First Eastern Conference Finals Appearance Since 1993
- Postseason Series Victories in Consecutive Seasons for the 1st Time Since 1980-1985
Jon Cooper (Lightning)
- Won the Stanley Cup in 2020
- 2nd Stanley Cup Finals Berth Since 2015
- 4th Eastern Conference Finals Appearance Since 2015
Jared Bednar (Avalanche)
- Back-to-Back-to-Back Playoff Appearances for the First Time Since 1995-2006
- Playoff Series Victories in Consecutive Seasons
Now, let’s talk about the 2020-2021 NHL head coaches who could be let go by their respective teams. The rankings from 10-9 are the head coaches that have been dismissed already. Also, the rankings from 8-6 represents a warm seat for 2020-2021. Meanwhile, the rankings from 6-1 describe the head coaches that have the hottest seat going into the upcoming hockey campaign. Without further adieu, let’s reveal the hot seat NHL head coaches for the upcoming season.
Top 10 NHL Head Coaches Who Could be Fired During the 2020-2021 Season
Already Fired (10-9)
10. Ralph Krueger (Sabres)
- Fired in March 2021
- No Playoff Appearances Since 2011 (Longest Active Postseason Drought)
- Team Has Not Won a Playoff Series Since 2007
- Missed the Playoffs by Three Points to Canadiens for the Atlantic Division
9. Claude Julien (Canadiens)
- Fired in February 2021
- Won the Qualifying Round vs. Penguins, but Lost the 1st Round vs. Flyers
- Has Not Won a First Round Series Since 2015
- Has Not Reached the Eastern Conference Finals Since 2014
Warm Seat (8-6)
8. Dave Tippett (Oilers)
- Has Not Won a Postseason Series Since 2017
- Knocked Out of the Qualifying Round Despite Having 4th Best Record in the Western Conference
- Has Not Advanced Past the 2nd Round Since 2006
7. Mike Sullivan (Penguins)
- Consecutive Early Playoff Exits for the 1st Time Since 2011-2012
- Has Not Gotten Past the 2nd Round Since their Back-to-Back Stanley Cup Run in 2016 and 2017
- No Playoff Series Wins Since 2018
- If Pittsburgh Fails to Have a Deeper Playoff Run in 2020-2021, Sullivan Could be Let Go
6. Rick Tocchet (Coyotes)
- Has Not Advanced Past the 1st Round Since 2012
- Won the Qualifying Round vs. Nashville, but Lost the 1st Round vs. Colorado
- 4th Worst Record in the Pacific Division in 2019-2020
Hot Seat (5-1)
5. Dallas Eakins (Ducks)
- Has Not Been to the Playoffs Since 2017
- No Postseason Series Victories Since 2017
- 3rd Worst Record in the Pacific Division in 2019-2020
- Missed the Playoffs by Seven Points to Coyotes
4. Jeremy Colliton (Blackhawks)
- Finished in Dead Last in the Central Division in 2019-2020
- Won the Qualifying Round vs. Edmonton, but Lost the 1st Round vs. Vegas
- Has Not Won a First Round Series Since 2015
3. John Tortorella (Blue Jackets)
- Currently in Last Place in Central Division, Likely to Miss Playoffs
- Won the Qualifying Round vs. Maple Leafs, but Lost the 1st Round vs. Lightning
- Only Won 2 Postseason Series in Franchise History
- 4th Worst Record in the Metropolitan Division in 2019-2020
2. David Quinn (Rangers)
- Club Has Not Won a Playoff Series Since 2017
- 2nd Worst Record in the Metropolitan Division in 2019-2020
- Made the 2020 Qualifying Round, but Got Swept by Hurricanes 3-0
1. Jeff Blashill (Red Wings)
- No Playoff Appearances Since 2016
- Team Has Not Won a Playoff Series Since 2013 West Quarterfinals vs. Ducks
- Finished in Dead Last in the Atlantic Division in 2019-2020
- Worst Record in the NHL Last Season
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