Firing a coach during the season in the NHL can sometimes signal a team's readiness for a turnaround. The Edmonton Oilers recently exemplified this trend by reaching the Stanley Cup Final less than seven months after dismissing coach Jay Woodcroft just 13 games into the season. Kris Knoblauch took over a struggling team that was ranked last in the standings and guided them to win the Western Conference, aiming to become the sixth NHL coach since 2000 to win the championship after being hired mid-season.
Historically, NHL teams have shown more willingness to replace coaches compared to other major sports leagues. Currently, only five out of the 32 teams have coaches who have been in their positions for more than two seasons.
If Knoblauch manages to lead the Oilers to the title, it would mark the sixth time this has occurred in the NHL since 2000, equaling the total instances in the NFL (0), NBA (4), and Major League Baseball (2) combined throughout their histories.
Among the notable NHL coaches who have achieved this feat in recent years include Craig Berube, who guided the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup victory in 2019. After a slow start to the season, Berube took over from Mike Yeo and orchestrated an impressive turnaround that culminated in the Blues' first championship.
Other successful mid-season coaching changes in the NHL include Mike Sullivan leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup in 2016, Darryl Sutter guiding the Los Angeles Kings to victory in 2012, Dan Bylsma's triumph with the Penguins in 2009, and Larry Robinson's success with the New Jersey Devils in 2000.
These instances highlight the impact that coaching changes can have on a team's performance and the potential for a dramatic shift in fortunes during a season. The NHL has witnessed several remarkable turnarounds following mid-season coaching adjustments, underscoring the importance of leadership and strategic decision-making in the pursuit of championship success.
