Top 10 NHL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2021-2022

By: Sports Teller

Updated:

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Which NHL Head Coaches Are Getting the Pink Slip in 2021-2022? Who is on the Hottest Seat for 2021-2022? 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 2021-2022! In fact, we will be going over who could be safe from possible termination in 2021-2022. Without further adieu, let’s begin!


Top 10 NHL Head Coaches on the Hot Seat for 2021-2022

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Now that the 2021-2022 NHL Season is officially underway, now is the time to start speculating in terms of which NHL head coaches will be on the hot seat. Even though the 2021-2022 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:

Jared Bednar (Avalanche)

  • Reached the 2nd Round in 2020-2021
  • Playoff Series Victories in Consecutive Seasons

Rod Brind’Amour (Hurricanes)

  • Won the Division Title During the 2020-2021 Season
  • Consecutive 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)

  • Back-to-Back Stanley Cup Semifinals Appearances
  • Postseason Series Victories in Consecutive Seasons for the 1st Time Since 1980-1985

Jon Cooper (Lightning)

  • Won Consecutive Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021
  • 3rd Stanley Cup Finals Berth Since 2015
  • 5th Stanley Cup Semifinals Appearance Since 2015

Now, let’s talk about the 2021-2022 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 2021-2022. 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.

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Top 10 NHL Head Coaches Who Could be Fired During the 2021-2022 Season

Warm Seat (10-6)

10. Craig Berube (Blues)

  • Has Lost in the 1st Round in Back-to-Back Seasons
  • No Playoff Series Wins Since 2019 Stanley Cup Finals
  • If St. Louis Loses in the 1st Round in 2021-2022, Berube Could be Let Go

9. Travis Green (Canucks)

  • Fired and Replaced by Bruce Boudreau
  • Missed the Playoffs in 2020-2021
  • Only Won a Postseason Series Once in 2020
  • If Vancouver Fails to Make the Playoffs in 2021-2022, Green Could be Fired

8. 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 2021-2022, Sullivan Could be Let Go

7. Dave Tippett (Oilers)

  • Has Not Won a Postseason Series Since 2017
  • Lost in the 1st Round in 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs
  • If Edmonton Fails to Have Successful Postseason Run in 2021-2022, Tippett Could be Fired

6. Rick Bowness (Stars)

  • Missed the Playoffs in 2020-2021
  • Reached the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals
  • If Stars Fail to Reach the Postseason, Bowness Could be Fired

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Hot Seat (5-1)

5. D.J. Smith (Senators)

  • Missed the Playoffs for 4th Straight Season
  • Has Not Had a Winning Season Since 2016-2017
  • No Playoff Series Wins Since 2017 East Semifinals

4. Dallas Eakins (Ducks)

  • Has Not Been to the Playoffs Since 2017
  • No Postseason Series Victories Since 2017
  • Worst Record in the West Division in 2020-2021

3. Jeff Blashill (Red Wings)

  • No Playoff Appearances Since 2016
  • Team Has Not Won a Playoff Series Since 2013 West Quarterfinals vs. Ducks
  • Had One of the Worst Records in the Central Division in 2020-2021

2. Todd McLellan (Kings)

  • Missed the Playoffs for the 3rd Straight Season
  • Has Not Been to the Postseason Since 2018
  • Seeking 1st Playoff Series Win Since 2014 Stanley Cup Finals

1. Jeremy Colliton (Blackhawks)

  • Fired Earlier in the Season
  • Missed the Playoffs in 2020-2021
  • Won the Qualifying Round vs. Edmonton, but Lost the 1st Round vs. Vegas
  • Has Not Won a First Round Series Since 2015

Check Out the NHL Teams with Most Head Coach Firings Since 2010!


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