NHL Coaches on the Hot Seat, Big Market Teams Getting Antsy

Lane Lambert - New York Islanders

Despite a four-game winning streak, all is tense on Long Island. New York has played 54 games, more than any other team in the conference. Teams with games in hand might make things more interesting. Lou Lamoriello acquired and extended Bo Horvat. Expect another move or two closer to the deadline.

New York scored three or more goals on Tuesday for only the third time in their previous 18 games. This team must average close to three a contest to make the playoffs. If they do not, it means the end for Lambert and likely Lou Lamoriello. The business is not fair, but that’s life! 

Peter Laviolette - Washington Capitals

The argument for keeping Peter Laviolette is that Washington has done an admirable job fending off injury issues all season. There is a counter-theory that fans and some players alike are somewhat frustrated with. How much of that is true remains unknown. There lies no doubt that even healthy, Washington is a different team.

Now, what can Brian MacLellan do? The problem is Washington has limited assets and too many older players. Even Alexander Ovechkin has shown a little more wear this season. T.J. Oshie cannot stay healthy, and that defense can be porous. Both seats are at least a touch hot.

Mike Sullivan - Pittsburgh Penguins

Mike Sullivan coaches the living daylights out of a team. With Sullivan, the Pittsburgh Penguins won two Stanley Cups. However, it has been 5+ seasons now. Four straight first-round exits have the coach under the microscope. Could this be the offseason that Sullivan and maybe Ron Hextall get the heave-ho? 

Pittsburgh remains on the bubble of the playoffs but has several games in hand on Washington and the New York Islanders. Again, one wonders if management wants to see a deeper run. With this aging core, can Sullivan get Pittsburgh beyond the first round? There are doubts as the season gets toasted. 

John Hynes - Nashville Predators

All it took was one absolute skunk of a Tuesday performance to get the Nashville masses angry. This happens far too often. However, consider the Vegas Golden Knights are playing without Mark Stone. Nashville had eight shots on goal after two periods at home, coming off a long rest.

John Hynes looked like a deer in headlights after Vegas responded in the first period. There were no answers, and the faces on the bench said it all. The final seed is four points away, with two teams to move past. It is playoffs or bust here, and bust may mean the end of Hynes and David Poile. Poile is the only general manager Nashville has ever known. That may be part of the problem here. 

Gerard Gallant - New York Rangers

We lightly touch on Gerard Gallant and even Chris Drury because of how fluid the situation in New York is. Now, James Dolan seems unhappy with everything lately. Dolan losing money makes every other sports team nervous. 

Even though the Rangers are winning and assuredly will make the playoffs, a short playoff run may get Dolan overthinking. Would he consider looking for a new bench boss and general manager? Do not underestimate that at all.

That is all for now! Stay tuned next week as we toss in a few more numbers and a special post-Valentine edition of Coaches On The Hot Seat.