The Recycling Bin of coaches in the NHL

Is it just me or have you realized that the NHL Just looooves to recycle coaches from team to team. I’m bringing this up now after the Florida Panthers fired Bob Boughner and hired Joel Quenneville all withing 48 hours. Joel Quenneville was let of his duties this year after winning three  Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks in 2010,2013 and 1015. The Florid Panthers have a long history Head Coaches. On November 27 2016, Gerard Gallant was fired by the Panthers. Gallant spent 2 seasons in Florida and recently brought the new Las Vegas Golden Knights to the Western Conference finals in 2018. 

The NHL has always been known as the Good Ol’ Boys Club. Everyone takes care of each other and it’s hard to get out. The Montreal Canadiens are known for this… Always looking for the next French speaking guy that will bring them back to the glory days. The Habs have been recycling coaches since Newsy Lalonde was the player/coach for the CH in 1917. Michel Therrien (2000-03 and 2012-17) and Claude Julien (2003-06 and 2017-current). These two examples are unique because Therrien was replaced both times by Claude Julien.

John Tortorella and Paul Maurice are good examples of living in the aforementioned recycling bin:

• Paul Maurice
  • Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes
    • 1995-2004
  • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • 2006-2008
  • Carolina Hurricanes
    • 2008-20012
  • Winnipg Jets
    • 2014-2018
• John Tortorella
  • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • 2000-2008
      • Won Stanley Cup in 2003-2004
  • New York Rangers
    • 2008-2013 (took over midyear 2008)
  • Vancouver Canucks
    • 2013-2014
  • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • 2015-Current (took over 7 games in to 2015 season)

One coach that has had success and still signed with another Franchise.

• Barry Trotz is the frst coach in Nashville Predators history. He was let go after missing the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.
  • Trotz became the bench boss in Washington for the 2014-2015 season. His stint in Washington ended with a Stanley Cup championship in 2017-2018.
  • He signed with the New York Islanders in 2018

The NHL is a very closely monitored and played league. The locker room chemistry is most important in hockey. More so than in any other major sport in North America.

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Terry Tam