We saw franchise history unfold in front of us as the Nashville Predators made their first mid-season coaching change in their 22 year history as Peter Laviolette was relieved of his head coaching duties late yesterday afternoon. The head coach drove some of the most successful seasons in franchise history, but coaches are hired to be fired… and so the cycle turns.
You knew when the news broke that the hire was going to be a new coach vs. an interim. An interim coach would’ve been announced right away and frankly… if this move happened next season, the decision may have come to elevate rising coaching star Karl Taylor from Milwaukee.
So now, the Predators have the third head coach in franchise history, former NJ Devils bench boss John Hynes. Hynes was fired in Jersey earlier this season after getting off to a 9-13-4 start, but has a solid resume of player development and took the Devils to their first playoff appearance in six seasons back in 2018.
The Poile – Hynes connection includes an association through USA Hockey, Preds director of player personnel Jeff Kealty payed with him at Boston U. Hynes resume includes coaching the US National Team, he has won three medals in the World Under-18 championships and spent five seasons coaching the baby Pens in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Plenty of fans are pointing at St. Louis last season, LA in 2012 and two separate times for Pittsburgh when they replaced bench bosses mid-season and went on to win a cup.
What I will be looking for from a new coach is how he uses the resources he has. As we talked about on last night’s SlapShot Radio, do we change up the penalty kill? I have often thought using players like Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson on the PK hurt their play five-on-five. All-in-all, this should help shake a sleepy team up and a new voice in the room may be just the ticket.
Honestly, the timing of this gives the players a chance to react and be observed. If the team moves in the direction expected, then the trade deadline becomes an opportunity to add to the team for a playoff run. If the team continues to perform at the level we have seen so far over 40 games, then the trade deadline becomes a way to restock and rebuild. Either way… the next 7 – 8 weeks are going to be an interesting exercise.
It all begins tonight with a big matchup against the Boston Bruins in Smashville… 7pm puck drop. See you at the Bridge.
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ICYMI – Here is last night’s SlapShot Radio …
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Hindsight being solidly 20/20… you can see the origins of this change going back almost a full calendar year. There has been something not right with this team for awhile.
- The callouts of special teams is appropriate and the curious lack of physicality is completely accurate.
- In all of the noise regarding this move, I do want to stop and say thank you to Coach Laviolette and Coach McCarthy… I will never forget how this pair of coaches brought this team to a new level and ironically, the expectations raised by their success may have been part of their being relieved.
- Tonight’s games – 6pm – VAN @ TBL, ARI @ FLA, NYI @ NJD, OTT @ WSH, PHI @ CAR. 6:30pm – COL @ NYR, MTL @ DET. 7pm – SJS @ STL, BOS @ NSH. 7:30pm – CGY @ CHI. 9pm – PIT @ VGK, CBJ @ ANA.
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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I are now on Monday night’s this season. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast … 7pm Mondays on 102.5 the Game. Our next show is Sunday ay 11am as part of pregame for the Winnipeg game.
Our sponsor list continues to grow. Not only are we welcoming back
Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Murfreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. And our newest sponsors…
Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!
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