Coaches on the hot seat

Canwest News Service

Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Who wants to start in Europe?

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Head coach Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks reacts to a call during the preseason NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on September 26, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Sharks 2-0.

Photograph by : Getty Images

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If you're an NHL coach this season, probably not many will be hoisting their hands. Barry Melrose (Tampa), Craig Hartsburg (Ottawa), Michel Therrien (Pittsburgh) and Tom Renney (New York Rangers) were all let go last winter after their teams started the season overseas.

Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago and Florida get to enjoy Europe at the start of this campaign, but we're kind of thinking Mike Babcock's going to be at least one coach to snap the string of dismissals.

Here's a look at the coaches who have a legitimate chair on the hot seat in 2009-10:

Todd McLellan, San Jose Sharks

The honeymoon is nearing an end, but this one might be headed toward the post-season. The Sharks are a wonderful regular-season team that is wonderfully unsuccessful in the playoffs. McLellan led the under-achievers to a first-round exit in his debut season behind the bench in 2008-09 and needs to, somehow, find wins in this year's playoffs to hang onto his job.

Jacques Martin, Montreal Canadiens

No one stomachs mediocre in Montreal as far as the storied Canadiens are concerned. If the smallish Habs stumble badly, as they did under Guy Carbonneau and Bob Gainey last season, the likable Martin will be looking for work.

Rick Tocchet, Tampa Bay Lightning

Unlike its neighbour to the northeast, this is not the happiest place on earth. The squabbling between owners doesn't seem to be abating and the product on ice has been shoddy. Tocchet likely won't suffer a Melrose-like fate (fired after 16 games), but patience isn't in big supply here.

Ron Wilson, Toronto Maple Leafs

Frustration in Toronto is tradition. Frustration over a lack of scoring is bound to be a nightly tradition in 2009-10. Wilson can't score the goals himself and it could cost him a long-term lease with the Leafs.

Canwest News Service

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icehound

Wed, Sep 30, 09 at 12:45 PM

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Reaaaally? How is Lindy Ruff not on that list? After dicking the dog for over a decade in Buffalo, it's a wonder this man still has a head - Never mind a job...

Hockey Rules

Wed, Sep 30, 09 at 02:08 PM

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Jacques Martin is on the hot seat? Ummmmmm, I don't think so. If Martin goes, then Gainey will be following him out the door. Ron Wilson job is not in jeopardy either. T.O. may think they can qualify for the playoffs, but Burke is still a couple of years away from building a really contending team. This is probably the worst list of any kind I've seen to date. Someone who knows a thing or two about hockey should make this list, not some kid throwing darts at a board and writing names down.

Former Hab Fan?

Wed, Sep 30, 09 at 03:28 PM

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The coach that should be on the hot seat is Bob Gainey.

icehound

Thu, Oct 1, 09 at 10:08 AM

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The icehound's take (some indulgence, please): Buffalo - Lindy Ruff - This team underacheives and Larry Quinn will throw both Lindy and his long-time pal, Darcy Regier, under the bus to shield himself from the mounting fan-anger in this disgusted and critical city. New York - Torts - Slats is going with this experiment until Tortorella puts his foot in it. Which he came close to doing, with his hissy-fit behind the bench, during the playoffs. NYC is a prideful and petulant place - fan dissatisfaction will result in empty seats, which may in turn threaten Sather's long tenure. He'll need another sacrificial goat. Vancouver - Alain Vigneault - Gillis has done his best to lock in the core, and has substantially committed to the overall grit and scoring-power of this team. Falling flat, yet again, will cost AV his "darling status" and his job. Nashville - Barry Trotz - Long tenure notwithstanding, ownership may want to change the face of these "loveable losers" and simultaneiously put their fingerprints on this team by dumping their coach. Impetuous? Perhaps. But, it worked for the Capitals, and this is a team that needs to show some sign of life, just to attract fans. Or, they may be next season's Coyotes. Edmonton - Pat Quinn - Old Pat doesn't need the high blood-pressure and the ulcers. If this team comes out flat and wimpy, Pat will fall on his own sword, just to avoid the nonsense that comes with another season rife with futility and disillusion. He doesn't need the crap, and will be the first to admit it, if the players start to tune him out.

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