The 2025-26 NHL season showed that a coaching change could happen at any time.
The Vegas Golden Knights fired Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the season and John Tortorella took the team to the Stanley Cup Final. He wasn't brought back after the run as the Golden Knights promoted American Hockey League coach Ryan Craig.
The New York Islanders fired Patrick Roy with four games and brought in Peter DeBoer, who will lead the team this season.
Tortorella, Cassidy (assuming the Golden Knights give permission), Kris Knoblauch and others are among the former coaches who could step in if a change needs to be made.
So which coaches could be on the hot seat this season? USA TODAY looks at four possibilities:
Todd McLellan, Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings are still looking for a full-time
general manager, and that person will determine McLellan's future. He has only been with the team for one-plus seasons of their 10-year playoff drought, but the Red Wings did fade down the stretch last season.
Sheldon Keefe, New Jersey Devils
New general manager Sunny Mehta kept Keefe on and gave him more scoring depth. As always, the Devils' success depends on Jack Hughes' health. Plus, is the goaltending strong enough? A slow start could spell trouble for Keefe.
Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets
Arniel has a built-in excuse for a slow start because award-winning goalie Connor Hellebuyck didn't report to the team amid a trade request. But the Jets, even with Hellebuyck, went from the 2024-25 Presidents' Trophy to out of the 2026 playoffs.
Andrew Brunette, Nashville Predators
Like Keefe, he has a new general manager (Chris MacFarland) who upgraded the team. Brunette showed an 18-point improvement in his second season, but he's in the final year of his contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's on the NHL coaching hot seat during the 2026-27 season?
