4 Pending Free Agent Head Coaches On Hot Seat This Season
Over the last month or so, we've seen a number of NHL head coaches sign extensions, including Jared Bednar with the Colorado Avalanche, Martin St. Louis with the Montreal Canadiens, John Hynes (Minnesota Wild), and Ryan Warsofsky (San Jose Sharks).
There are still four head coaches, however, who are playing out this season with the proverbial "lame-duck status"—on the final year of their deals.
Joel Quenneville in Anaheim, Scott Arniel in Winnipeg, Rick Bowness in Columbus, and Andrew Brunette in Nashville.
And in all four cases, a big year could be needed to save their jobs. But according to insider Pierre LeBrun on TSN Insider Trading, two of these situations bear particular watching, more than the others.
Quenneville being without an extension 'is interesting', says insider
"Quenneville is interesting, you know, given his pedigree and stature, still not extended. My sense from poking my nose in that is that no one’s worried about it, that at some point the Ducks will address that," said LeBrun.
The Ducks earned their first playoff berth last season in eight years in Quenneville's first season behind the bench, so he's earned some credits. But a big falloff this season could lead Anaheim to consider a younger candidate.
Scott Arniel needs to have good season to save his job with Jets
"I don’t know about Arniel and Winnipeg, to be honest," added LeBrun. "I think the Jets are probably comfortable letting this ride out for a while and see where the season goes. Remember, they missed the playoffs last year and not everyone was 100% sure that Arniel would be brought back as coach. So I think in his case, he may have to coach through the year on an expiring deal."
In Columbus, Bowness is 71, going on 72 this season, so it's only natural that his situation is year to year. But after his epic meltdown at the end of last season, and his early frustration with his team on a couple of occasions already this campaign, it remains to be seen how much longer he wants to do it, even if the Blue Jackets want to keep him.
“We had plans for next week, they’ve all changed. We’ve got work to do.” #CBJ coach Rick Bowness after tonight’s loss
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) October 4, 2026
Brunette, notes LeBrun, has a team option for next season, but we'll have to see if the Predators make some progress this year towards a playoff spot before his status for 2027-28 will come into focus.