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It seems that NHL teams have had a short fuse with their head coaches over the past two years. At least, that’s what you realize when you look at the chart of NHL head coach hiring dates.
It’s so intense, that 21 teams have changed head coaches since Martin St-Louis was hired, ranking him 11th in the NHL for longest tenure among active head coaches.
Here’s the chart:
With the dismissal of D.J. Smith, Martin St-Louis approaches the top-10 longest-serving coaches in the NHL…
He joined not even two years ago!
pic.twitter.com/OHAXdXr51A
– RDS (@RDSca) December 18, 2023
So far, the strategy is working for the Habs. There’s probably a lot less pressure on St-Louis’ shoulders because the team is rebuilding, but he’s far from doing a bad job.
And it’s a job recognized by another NHL head coach: Rick Bowness of the Winnipeg Jets.
#GoJetsGo Rick Bowness on what Martin St-Louis is doing as #Habs head coach: ” those kids are able to play worry-free & not worry about making mistakes – they’re going to learn from their mistakes – but he gives them the green light to go & that’s why he’s doing such a great job “
– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 18, 2023
#GoJetsGo Rick Bowness on how Martin St-Louis coaches the #Habs: “they are highly-skilled and they are fast and he’s letting them play that way.”
– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 18, 2023
What Bowness sees in the Quebecer’s management style is the freedom he gives the youngsters. That’s exactly what helped Cole Caufield blossom in early 2022. In his opinion, the Canadiens’ players are good in this system and can take advantage of their talent and speed. He also notes that St-Louis lets them make mistakes so they can learn from them.
Returning to the wave of dismissals over the past two years, 11 teams have hired a new head coach in 2023 (including Drew Bannister and Jacques Martin, who are acting in an interim capacity). And it’s the same in 2022, which means that 22 teams have made a change behind the bench in two years!
For the time being, Martin St-Louis is far from in danger of losing his position, and may well move up a few places on the table. With the Sabres’ difficult start to the season, Don Granato could be the next below St-Louis to jump.
In gusto
– Ottawa could follow in Montreal’s footsteps.
Jacques Martin waiting for Daniel Alfredsson?https://t.co/xkfs4wEFp6
– Hockey 360 (@hockey360) December 19, 2023
– Unbelievable.
– Guillaume Lefrançois
(@glefrancoisLP) December 19, 2023
– Now that’s funny!
The ultimate prankster is back in town!
Storytime: Marc-Andre Fleury snuck into the Penguins locker room earlier today and switched Kris Letang’s helmet so that he’d wear the white (away) helmet onto the ice for warmups. pic.twitter.com/YhxUv7ffC5
– Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 19, 2023
– He should have a nice place in the team.
Matthew Poitras’ loan with ÉCJ will make some happy… but also some unhappy!
pic.twitter.com/jr01ODNiUn
– Hockey 360 (@hockey360) December 18, 2023
