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NHL Coaches On Early Hot Seat According to Insiders

There are a few coaches that may already be on the hot seat in the NHL. Will these coaches all keep their jobs this season?

Just a few games into the NHL season, there are some coaches on the hot seat already. Some organizations have gotten off to a less-than-stellar start and that has potentially put their employment in jeopardy as the second week of the season approaches.

This isn’t to say that teams will be firing their bench bosses already, but if things don’t turn around quickly, names like Lindy Ruff, Dallas Eakins, and Bruce Boudreau could be on their way out, says a few sources.

NHL coaches Lindy Ruff Dallas Eakins Bruce Boudreau
NHL coaches Lindy Ruff Dallas Eakins Bruce Boudreau

The Athletic’s Sean Gentille writes that both Ruff in New Jersey and Eakins in Anaheim could find themselves not getting an extended look if their teams don’t start performing better. In New Jersey, there are some expectations to earn wins but the fan base is already turning on Ruff, who was booed by fans during their home opener. He noted it was something that comes with the territory and is prepared to take responsibility for any lack of wins.

Gentille writes that Devils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald has faith in Ruff. He notes:

Ahead of the season, he told LeBrun that Ruff is “here for a reason,” gassed up his ability to communicate with young players like Jack Hughes and called him “one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever been around.”

Meanwhile, Eakins could be in trouble if for no other reason than his contract was merely extended on the option the team had for another season. There aren’t high expectations in Anaheim and if the team doesn’t win and ownership isn’t sold Eakins is the guy, Gentille suggests it would make it difficult to come out on the winning end of all of this.

In Vancouver, three collapses isn’t boding well for Boudreau whose decision-making is already coming into question. Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussed what’s happening with the Canucks right now and called Boudreau out on his decision to hard-skate the team on an off day. During their 32 Thoughts: The Podcast show, they wondered if tiring the group after coughing up back-to-back leads will be something people look back at and wonder if that was the writing on the wall.

Gentille also lists Brad Larsen of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken as names that might be worth watching this season.

Next: Four Takeaways from Maple Leafs’ 4-2 Loss to Coyotes

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