The NHL coaching carousel continues to turn rapidly, with two official hires announced on Tuesday. Travis Green, who closed out the season as interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils, was introduced as the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators. The 53-year-old will be tasked with turning the Senators’ fortunes around after a disappointing season. Ottawa’s hockey operations president and general manager, Steve Staios, expressed confidence in Green’s ability to lead the team to success.
Green, a veteran player with 970 games of experience, previously coached the Vancouver Canucks for four-plus seasons. In Vancouver, he compiled a record of 133-147-34 over 314 games, with the team making a playoff appearance in the 2020 season. The St. Louis Blues also made a coaching decision, confirming the removal of the interim tag from Drew Bannister, who coached the team to a 30-19-5 record since December 2023. Bannister’s contract extension is for two years, showcasing the team’s confidence in his leadership.
The Buffalo Sabres recently filled their coaching void by bringing back Lindy Ruff, who spent 15 years as the head coach of the team, leading them to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999 and their last playoff appearance in 2011. Ruff became available after being fired by the Devils, with whom Travis Green now serves as interim head coach. The coaching situation in New Jersey remains uncertain, with rumors circulating that the Devils have shown interest in Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach.
Several other coaching positions remain open in the NHL, including in San Jose, Winnipeg, and Seattle, where changes were recently announced. Dan Bylsma is seen as a strong possibility for the Seattle Kraken coaching position, given his success in the AHL and connections within the organization. The situations in Los Angeles and Toronto are also uncertain, with interim coaches in place and potential changes expected in the offseason. The Utah market, however, is stable under new Coyotes ownership, with a focus on retaining key staff and players.
Overall, the NHL coaching landscape is in a state of flux, with multiple teams making changes or considering adjustments to their coaching staff. As the offseason progresses, more hires, extensions, and potential departures are expected across the league. The importance of finding the right fit for each team is emphasized, as franchises seek to build winning cultures and achieve sustained success in the highly competitive NHL. The coaching carousel continues to spin, and fans eagerly await updates on new hires and changes for their favorite teams.
