Just over two weeks into the 2023-24 NHL regular season, we’re already starting to see some narratives around the league form.
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to dominate and look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions; the Boston Bruins, despite multiple departures in the offseason, still look like a playoff contender, and the Colorado Avalanche look every bit as good as they were when they won it all in 2021-22.
But what about teams that are struggling? Is it too early to start asking if some coaches are on the hot seat? Every team in the league has played at least five games, and while that may not be enough of a sample size to fire someone, it might be enough for teams to ask if they should.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Matt Larkin and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed which coaches around the league are on the hot seat.
Tyler Yaremchuk: It is hot-seat season in the NHL. We’re getting to the point where we’re almost at the 10 percent mark of the year, and that’s usually when teams will start to think “Oh boy, this might be more than just a poor start for us.”
I asked you to give me a handful of coaches who you think are on the hot seat. Let’s hear ’em.
Matt Larkin: The first one is D.J. Smith. I made up my own rule, I call it “Jeff Blashill Syndrome,” for when a rebuilding team keeps the “caretaker coach” for a little bit too long. You’re supposed to transition into being competitive, but maybe the team isn’t responding to them anymore. I think it happened with the Detroit Red Wings, they kept Blashill way too long.
I think we could be nearing that type of juncture with D.J. Smith. Obviously the fans weren’t too kind, calling for his head after an embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Sabres at home on Oct. 24. I know 3-3-0 isn’t a terrible start, but general manager Pierre Dorion has moved mountains over the past couple seasons trying to turn this team into a contender, and eventually you need to get results.
Find out Matt’s other four coaches and watch the rest of the show here…
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