4 Newly-Hired NHL Head Coaches Who Will Have Success Right Away
By Charles Nason
Just in 2019, six NHL franchises have found new bench bosses. Like plenty of other professional leagues, the NHL coaching carousel typically sees previously-fired coaches brought back on with new clubs. While not every newly-hired head coach experiences immediate success with their new team, these four very well could.
4. Alain Vigneault, Philadelphia Flyers
Alain Vigneault certainly has the winning experience that any organization would find attractive in a head coaching search. The Philadelphia Flyers, however, were the ones to ultimately land the former Rangers and Canucks coach. He'll lead a staff of multiple head coaches, with Mike Yeo and Michel Therrien as his assistants. With a solid squad comprised of young talent and several veteran mentors, Vigneault could potentially lead the Flyers to a decent finish in the Metropolitan division.
3. Ralph Krueger, Buffalo Sabres
After one season with the Oilers, Ralph Krueger switched gears and joined Southampton soccer as Director. However, that was short-lived as well. Now back in the NHL, Krueger has the right tools in Buffalo to compete in the Atlantic Division. His Sabres are loaded with young and talented players at both forward and defense, and if Krueger proves to be the right fit they could finally live up to their potential.
2. Dave Tippett, Edmonton Oilers
Dave Tippett is one of the most notoriously proven NHL head coaches. He's been the head coach of three different franchises now since 2002, although none have been particularly successful. However, the Oilers pose a fresh start for Tippett. Loaded from top to bottom, Edmonton also just happens to have one of the top players in the world. If players like Connor McDavid can thrive under Tippett, they could very well return to the postseason in his first year with the team.
1. Joel Quenneville, Florida Panthers
The Quenneville sweepstakes were a fun ride, with the Panthers finally hiring the three-time Stanley Cup winner. To go along with an unreal offseason player-wise, hiring Quenneville could ultimately lead to Florida winning the Atlantic. They've got one of the league's best goaltenders, great defensemen and a drastically underrated forward group that Coach Q should have no trouble leading to wins and a likely postseason run.