In the fast-paced and cutthroat world of NHL coaching, job security is a luxury that few can count on. Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer recently reflected on the constant turnover in the profession, calling it “insanity” during the NHL playoffs. With 19 coaching changes since the end of the 2022-23 season, it’s no wonder that DeBoer and his colleagues feel the pressure.
“We coach in an age where everyone talks about the modern athlete, building relationships in order to coach them. How do you do that with that kind of turnover?” DeBoer pondered. “It’s like going on a date and getting married and divorced before the appetizers show up. I don’t get it, but that’s the world we live in.”
The carousel of coaching changes can be dizzying, as witnessed by St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. He saw his only pro coach, Stanley Cup winner Craig Berube, get fired last December. Berube then found himself in Toronto after the Maple Leafs let go of Sheldon Keefe, who had replaced Lindy Ruff with the New Jersey Devils. Ruff, in turn, returned to the Buffalo Sabres for a second stint.
“Coaching changes are hard,” Thomas admitted. “Sometimes it takes a little bit to adjust, but a breath of fresh air changes things in the room.”
The volatility of coaching positions was also highlighted by New York Islanders center Bo Horvat, who expressed empathy for those in the role. “I wouldn’t want to be a head coach right now. It’s tough,” Horvat said during the recent NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas.
Of the 32 coaches who started last season behind NHL benches, 12 are no longer in the same role, including the retired Rick Bowness. The constant churn of coaching personnel underscores the high stakes and intense pressure faced by those in the profession. In a league where success is paramount, it’s a tough reality that coaches like DeBoer, Berube, and Keefe must navigate with skill and resilience. In a world where job security is a rare commodity, the coaching carousel shows no signs of slowing down.
