The Habs fired coach Jacques Martin on Friday, following the team’s mediocre start to the year as evidenced by its 13-12-7 start. In his place, Randy Cunneyworth will take over and look to get the underperforming squad back on track.
Martin is the sixth NHL coach to get the hook already this season, a startling number accounting for nearly a quarter of the league’s teams. The St. Louis Blues were the first team to make a move, parting ways with coach Davis Payne only 13 games into the season. The Capitals, Hurricanes, Ducks and Kings all followed behind, leading up to Martin’s departure from Montreal last week.
So far, St. Louis has shown the greatest improvement from their dismal start. The Blues have rebounded in a big way and if the season ended today, would be safely in the postseason. The rest of the teams with new coaches are on the fringe of the playoffs or languishing in the lower half of the standings. However, there’s plenty of time left.
Montreal only stands a few points back of the eight and final postseason spot with plenty of the regular season left, but they will need to play better if they stand a chance at making the playoffs.
Which team with a new head coach has the best chance of making the playoffs?
