Which NHL Team Will Make Head Coaching Change Next?

The Columbus Blue Jackets were the first team to change head coaches this season and won't be the last. There are plenty of teams with higher expectations that are just not meeting them for one reason or another. In some cases, it might not just be on the head coach, but that's all the GM can do to get the team going. So here's a look at five NHL teams that could make a head coaching change next.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets just had a four-game win streak snapped, but that doesn't fix their season. The team is still three games under .500 and seven points out of a playoff spot. The secondary scoring or depth scoring couldn't be worse.

David Pagnotta said, "There's been a lot of reluctance...with respect to making a coaching change, but there's also been an understanding that...push comes to shove, they may not have a choice." The Jets are second-last in the NHL and if some more losses are strung together after this recent win streak ended, time is ticking on the season and a change could finally be made.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are struggling three wins in their last 10 games. They may be three games over .500, but they have 13 overtime or shootout losses. In total, that's 10 more losses than wins and they don't have an easy road to making the playoffs with the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks playing better in their division. The Kings are on a downward spiral and aren't the team they used to be, plus Jim Hiller isn't Ken Holland's guy.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are last in the Eastern Conference and GM Chris Drury just put out a statement that the team will be going through a rebuild. While Mike Sullivan is a very good coach, it hasn't worked out in New York for him. A coaching change could also be part of the new direction the Rangers are going in when roster moves are eventually made.

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have a lot of pressure on them to make the playoffs and go on a deep run with the team they have, but they have underperformed this season. Injuries haven't helped, but they haven't been able to manage the time without some of their key players as well. GM Tom Fitzgerald has pressure on him and head coach Sheldon Keefe has made questionable decisions and comments in his time in New Jersey. The team is only two games above .500, second-last in the East, and a change could be made before it's too late with the stiff competition in the conference.

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators are in a similar boat to the Devils, except a major part of why the Senators haven't been great this season is due to goaltending and defensive play. There are horrible goaltending stats, and Linus Ullmark, who isn't playing right now, wasn't part of the solution. The Senators have the same number of points as the Devils, just with one fewer game played, and are seven points out of a playoff spot. The team is healthy, but just can't outscore their problems. This is a playoff team from last season, so missing won't sit well.