NHL Rumors: Panthers Looking Around For Head Coaches



The Florida Panthers still don't seem sure about their head coaching spot heading into the 2022-23 season. This season, the team started 7-0-0 under John Quenneville until he stepped down. Andrew Brunette took the interim tag as head coach for the remainder of the season, going 51-18-6 and helping the Panthers win the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in their history.

The team lost in the second round to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions Tampa Bay Lightning in four games and are looking to reset. Brunette did very well with the very talented team he had in front of him, but Elliott Friedman suggests that the Panthers have been talking to multiple people over the phone about the currently vacant head coaching spot.

Friedman said it's likely the Panthers will bring Brunette back, "it sounds like it’s trending in that direction, but I don’t want to say it’s a guarantee." The Panthers searching around a bit may also be due to Brunette's mind not being made up just yet about returning as the head coach. Though it seems likely he would be open to it, he did state, "I mean, I love this team. Of course, I would love to...but those aren’t really my decisions. I have family I have to talk to and see…we were kind of thrown into this a little bit. I have to talk to my wife and see if, after playing for 20 years, if she’s on board for this."

There are still some very good options out there and it has yet to be released who the Panthers are in fact talking to, but after the season Brunette put together behind the bench, he may just be the best option for them next season.

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