Landing a head coaching position in the NHL doesn`t typically promise long-term security. The league currently faces several vacancies, with teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken searching for new leadership. Additional openings could emerge in places like Vancouver and Pittsburgh.
“A head coach`s lifespan is significantly shorter than a general manager`s or team president`s,” notes Charlie Jacobs, Bruins CEO. “It`s just how the job works. You can only keep the players` attention for so long before it sometimes slips away.”
Given salary cap constraints and contract limitations, teams can`t easily dismiss underperforming players. General managers also tend to stay put. Consequently, coaches often bear the brunt when a team fails to meet expectations or requires a new strategic direction, leading to higher turnover compared to other major sports.
Hockey analyst Shayna Goldman`s data shows the average NHL coach`s tenure is only 2.3 years, significantly shorter than in MLB (4.3), NBA (4.1), and NFL (4.0). Last season alone saw 11 coaching changes mid-season or after teams were eliminated.
Neil Glasberg, president and CEO of PBI Sports & Entertainment, which represents coaches, describes this season as another period of “extensive change in an industry driven by performance.”
“It`s tough for players to constantly adapt to messages from different head coaches in quick succession,” Glasberg adds. “Every time a coaching change happens, players have to reset and start over. A new message is fine, but it shouldn`t change this frequently.”
While more changes are anticipated, the pool of potential candidates appears more diverse than ever. Alongside familiar veteran names who frequently cycle through coaching jobs, agent Ian Greengross of PowerPlay Management sees clear opportunities for new faces.
“There are generally two paths,” Greengross explains. “Some gain experience as head coaches in the AHL before getting their NHL chance. Others spend time as head coaches in junior leagues and then move up. I don`t think there`s as strong a preference now for hiring someone who has already been an NHL head coach. Every coach in the league was a first-timer at some point.”
Here`s a look at potential head coaching candidates this offseason, spanning from established veterans to intriguing newcomers and outside-the-box possibilities:
The Big Bosses
Rick Tocchet, Vancouver Canucks
Jay Woodcroft
Tocchet, 61, won the Jack Adams Award last season but oversaw a challenging 2024-25 campaign in Vancouver that ended without a playoff berth. Speculation has been rife about whether Tocchet will return to Vancouver. Canucks president Jim Rutherford indicated the team wouldn`t block him from leaving, and contract discussions are ongoing.
NHL sources suggest Tocchet might seek around $5 million annually over five years on his next deal. While a return to Vancouver isn`t ruled out, many sources predict Philadelphia as his next destination if he departs the Canucks. He played 11 seasons for the Flyers and was considered for the job in 2022 before John Tortorella was hired. His deep ties to the city and the organization (which includes several former Flyers in management) make this a strong possibility, although some question having too many alumni running the team.
Other potential landing spots for Tocchet include Seattle, where he has connections with newly promoted GM Jason Botterill and team president Ron Francis, and the Rangers, a team closer to contention that interviewed him previously and could offer a reunion with forward J.T. Miller.
Jay Woodcroft, 48, is another prominent former head coach drawing attention. He was fired 13 games into the 2023-24 season by the Edmonton Oilers, who subsequently reached the Stanley Cup Final. Despite the firing, Woodcroft had a .643 winning percentage with the Oilers. He was a finalist for other jobs last offseason and has spent the past year observing various teams, including in Europe. He`s viewed as an intelligent coach with a successful track record and is widely expected to find a new head coaching role.
The Great Unknowns
Joel Quenneville
Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins
These two multi-Stanley Cup winning coaches could significantly alter the coaching market, although their availability is uncertain.
Sullivan is under contract with the Penguins through 2026-27. Despite Pittsburgh missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, Sullivan maintains he intends to stay. GM Kyle Dubas echoes this, stating the expectation is for Sullivan to remain coach. Many observers believe Sullivan holds the power to decide when he leaves Pittsburgh, as ownership remains supportive.
If Sullivan were to become available, the Rangers would likely pursue him aggressively.
Joel Quenneville, 66, is second in NHL career wins (969) and has won three Stanley Cups. He resigned from the Florida Panthers in October 2021 following an investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks` handling of a sexual assault allegation in 2010, which implicated him. Though deemed “ineligible” at the time, the league reinstated him in June, allowing him to seek employment.
Sources are divided on Quenneville`s prospects. Some believe he should be back next season, linking him to openings like the Bruins. Others argue the potential public relations backlash is too great for any team to take on, predicting he won`t be hired this summer.
The Collegiate Valedictorian
David Carle, University of Denver
Carle, 35, has led the University of Denver for seven seasons, winning two NCAA national championships and reaching two other Frozen Fours. He is widely considered a rising star in coaching due to his NCAA success and back-to-back golds at the World Junior Championships.
Few college coaches have attracted as much NHL interest as Carle. He had initial contact with the Devils last summer but hasn`t gone through a formal NHL interview process yet. Some sources believe he`s waiting for the perfect fit and is content at Denver, where he has tenure and stability. However, many feel now is the time, especially with potential suitors like the Blackhawks and Rangers.
It`s believed Carle would only leave Denver for a significant opportunity, potentially seeking a five-year contract for NHL stability. He reportedly doesn`t want to join the “coaching treadmill” of frequent firings. Chicago has been most strongly linked to Carle, with GM Kyle Davidson reportedly building a relationship with him. Carle could grow with their rebuilding team and potentially provide Davidson with more job security if he brings success.
Carle may prefer a team not in the final stages of a decline. The Blackhawks showed improvement late last season, and the Ducks had a significant point increase year-over-year. Anaheim offers strong ownership, management, facilities, and less pressure than Chicago. They remain a possibility.
Ultimately, staying at Denver, where “the best players just show up,” might be the most attractive option for Carle in 2025-26.
The Fresh Firings
Drew Bannister
Dan Bylsma
Greg Cronin
Derek Lalonde
Peter Laviolette
Luke Richardson
John Tortorella
Recently fired NHL head coaches are a standard part of the hiring pool. Dan Bylsma`s firing by Seattle after one season reportedly stemmed from personality conflicts and management`s dissatisfaction with the team`s style, despite his AHL success.
Peter Laviolette, 60, is seeking his seventh NHL head coaching job after being dismissed by the Rangers despite leading them to the Presidents` Trophy. He has coached extensively, including five Metro Division teams since 2001.
John Tortorella, 66, is looking for his sixth head coaching role after being fired by the Flyers. While he hasn`t made the playoffs in four years, he guided a flawed Flyers team to a respectable points percentage. Known for gritty, defense-first teams and “tough love,” his approach is predictable but doesn`t always work well with young offensive talent.
The Well-Traveled
Guy Boucher, Omsk (KHL)
Bruce Boudreau
Dallas Eakins, Adler Mannheim (German Deutsche Eishockey Liga)
Gerard Gallant
Dave Hakstol
Claude Julien, St. Louis Blues
David Quinn, Pittsburgh Penguins
Todd Richards, Minnesota Wild
John Stevens, Vegas Golden Knights
Mike Yeo, Ottawa Senators
This group includes coaches with multiple NHL head coaching stints and current assistant coaches. Claude Julien, a Jack Adams and Stanley Cup winner with Boston, is currently a mentor assistant in St. Louis and has expressed openness to another head coaching job.
Gerard Gallant, 61, fired by the Rangers in 2023 despite winning the Jack Adams award previously, is seeking his fifth NHL head coaching role and is known as a “players` coach.”
Looking for a Second Chance
Jeff Blashill, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jack Capuano, Ottawa Senators
Jeremy Colliton, New Jersey Devils
Kevin Dineen
Dominique Ducharme, Vegas Golden Knights
Don Granato
Phil Housley
Lane Lambert, Toronto Maple Leafs
Kirk Muller, Washington Capitals
Davis Payne, Winnipeg Jets
Todd Reirden, Pittsburgh Penguins
D.J. Smith, Los Angeles Kings
Geoff Ward, Lausanne Hockey Club (Swiss Hockey League)
Trent Yawney, Detroit Red Wings
Several former head coaches are now assistant coaches looking for another opportunity. Lane Lambert, Kirk Muller, and Todd Reirden are notable examples who didn`t find sustained head coaching success but are respected assistants.
Jeff Blashill is considered a prime candidate for a second chance. He took over Detroit at a young age, made the playoffs once during a challenging rebuild, and has since served as an assistant under Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay. Anaheim could be a potential fit given his past work with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek in Detroit.
Don Granato, 57, is another popular coach from this group. He guided the Buffalo Sabres to their best points percentage during their playoff drought and could get another look.
Notable Assistants Seeking a First Chance
Jessica Campbell, Seattle Kraken
Blaine Forsythe, Utah Hockey Club
Jeff Halpern, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jay Leach, Boston Bruins
Mitch Love, Washington Capitals
John Madden, Utah Hockey Club
Dan Muse, New York Rangers
Steve Ott, St. Louis Blues
Michael Peca, New York Rangers
Marc Savard, Toronto Maple Leafs
Chris Taylor, New Jersey Devils
Mike Van Ryn, Toronto Maple Leafs
Mike Vellucci, Pittsburgh Penguins
Joel Ward, Vegas Golden Knights
This category features respected assistant coaches who could make the jump to a head role. Jessica Campbell made history as the first woman on an NHL bench. While retained by Seattle after Bylsma`s firing, her role might change under a new head coach.
Jay Leach, passed over for Boston`s interim job, is expected to interview for their opening. Mike Vellucci, an assistant under Sullivan in Pittsburgh and a Calder Cup winner in the AHL, recently received a boost by being named to the Team USA staff.
Mitch Love, a successful head coach in the WHL and AHL before joining the Capitals as an assistant focusing on defense, has interviewed for NHL jobs previously. The success of Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery might enhance Love`s prospects.
AHL Coaches
Cam Abbott, Chicago Wolves
John Gruden, Toronto Marlies
Ian Laperriere, Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Manny Malhotra, Abbotsford Canucks
Matt McIlvane, San Diego Gulls
Todd Nelson, Hershey Bears
Marco Sturm, Ontario Reign
Karl Taylor, Milwaukee Admirals
Pascal Vincent, Laval Rocket
Todd Nelson and Marco Sturm are particularly strong candidates from the AHL ranks. Nelson coached briefly for the Oilers and has won three Calder Cup championships in his last four AHL seasons with Grand Rapids and Hershey. Teams might wait for the outcome of his current playoff run with the Bears.
Sturm, a former NHL player, is head coach of the Ontario Reign, the Kings` AHL affiliate. He was considered for the Kings and Sharks jobs previously. Anaheim could be a possibility, completing a California hat trick of teams he`s been linked to.
Pascal Vincent was named AHL coach of the year after a challenging brief stint as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Manny Malhotra, in his first season as an AHL head coach with Abbotsford after being an NHL assistant, had an outstanding season and could be a dark horse candidate, especially if Rick Tocchet leaves Vancouver.
Shatter the Mold
Kori Cheverie, Montreal Victoire (PWHL)
Julie Chu/Caroline Ouellette, Concordia University
Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan
Rikard Grönborg, Tappara (SM-liiga)
Olli Jokinen, Timrå IK (SHL)
Joel Martin, Kalamazoo Wings (ECHL)
Jay Pandolfo, Boston University
Jason Payne, formerly Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)
This group features unconventional candidates from various leagues. Pat Ferschweiler (Western Michigan) and Jay Pandolfo (Boston University) led successful NCAA teams and have previous NHL assistant experience.
Kori Cheverie, 37, was a trailblazer in Canadian men`s college hockey and led Montreal to first place in the PWHL in her second season.
Joel Martin and Jason Payne were pioneers in the ECHL, marking a historic moment as the first two Black coaches to face each other in North American men`s pro hockey. Martin remains with Kalamazoo, while Payne recently departed Cincinnati.
Rikard Grönborg (Finland) and Olli Jokinen (Sweden) represent international coaching possibilities. Jokinen gained recent notoriety for a passionate locker room speech.
Finally, Julie Chu and Caroline Ouellette, former rivals on national teams, now coach the successful Concordia University women`s team. While perhaps a long shot, hiring this championship-winning duo would be a significant, mold-breaking move.
Rupert Hartwell