Ranking the Top 3 Most Attractive NHL Coaching Vacancies
Some of these teams would be more enticing gigs than others in some eyes, so let's take a crack at ranking the top Top 3 most attractive NHL coaching vacancies.
Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet makes this persuasive argument for the Ducks as potentially the best landing spot:
"How’s this for a pitch: Come oversee a squad with young studs at every position — and more on the way in the pipeline — all while enjoying a sunny ride to work in Orange County?"
The Ducks made a huge jump in the standings this past season, going from 59 points to 80. But next year, they're hoping to launch themselves into serious playoff contention. And they've got the 'young studs' to do it, with the likes of Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe and more.
One veteran coach with a number of Stanley Cup rings has already been strongly linked to the Ducks.
New York Rangers
Yes, the Blueshirts were engulfed in chaos and drama all season, and went from the Presidents' Trophy in 2023-24 with 114 points all the way down to an also-ran, out of the playoffs this season with just 85 points.
But hopefully the drama is behind them, and they've still got some legit pieces in place, not the least of which is Igor Shesterkin in goal, plus Artemi Panarin and the newly-energized JT Miller up front, along with a Norris Trophy winner, Adam Fox, on the blueline. The Rangers hope to be right back to being Cup contenders next season, so any coach that signs on can expect to have a legitimate shot at going far in the playoffs (if they're not concerned about the pressure that coaching under the bright lights of Broadway entails).
Boston Bruins
Another recent Presidents' Trophy winner, the Bruins also expect to be back in the mix as a solid playoff team next season despite missing out on the dance altogether this year. In 2022-23, they set an all-time NHL record with 135 points. If Jeremy Swayman (assuming he's not traded) can deliver as a top-notch first-stringer in goal, if Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm are healthy next year on defense, and if David Pastrnak is just simply David Pastrnak up front, they've still got a great core in place, and a well-executed "retool" could have them as a solid team as soon as next year.
Honorable mention goes to the Blackhawks, who obviously have some exciting young pieces in the likes of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and Artyom Levshunov (among others), but they are a bit farther away. And besides, the top coaching candidate around has already turned them down.
Photo: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
