Even though hockey is a sport often associated with the cold, online NHL betting fans know that the hot seat is far too common in the NHL. You often see head coaches standing behind the players, as if they’re all too aware of the idiom applied to those on the brink of losing their job. But that’s what being a head coach entails in the NHL; more often than not there are a handful of coaches on the hot seat.
Coaches can get fired for an abundance of reasons, but oftentimes it’s because the management is desperate for a change. Sometimes a coach can be fire prematurely, and the decision does more harm than good, but other times it’s far too obvious that a change is needed. Identifying these situations can be lucrative for online NHL betting fans because it enables better predictions. With that in mind, let’s take a gander at NHL head coaches who will soon have to update their resume.
Jack Capuano, New York Islanders
Seeing a coach throw shade at the general manager of the franchise is always a good indicator that things have gone sour. But with New York being tied for the 2nd worst record in the Easter Conference, some online NHL betting fans think Capuano is well in his right to question general manager Garth Snow’s offseason moves. The Islanders have lost the last 5 out of 7 games and Capuano seemed to be certain that the losses are tied with the offseason losses of Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin. A good chunk of points were lost there and Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera, the two players New York brought in, have combined for two goals. Capuano is trying to shift the blame on the guy arranging the roster, but at the end of the day some blame will fall on his shoulders as well.
Willie Desjardins, Vancouver Canucks
Most hockey betting sites weren’t predicting a playoff finish for Vancouver, so seeing their lackluster start shouldn’t blindside fans. But what is a shocker is the way in which the Canucks are losing their contest. In their last 8 games the Canucks have been shut out 4 times, and with a 9.3% power play success rate, this team is arguably the worst in the league. The problem is that the team is relying too much on the Sedin twins to do the bulk of offensive work, and if Desjardins can’t find a solution, someone else will have to.
John Tortorella, Columbus Blue Jackets
The 10-0 win against Montreal put Tortorella in good waters, but the Blue Jackets have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Blowing out one opponent isn’t going to guarantee a playoff finish. The game against Montreal proves this team has talent, and if Tortorella can’t get this squad to the playoffs, Columbus will have to find someone who can.
