Are Hockey Coaches the Most Worthless in Sports?

[BaltimoreTerp]

This thread is prompted by the Senators firing their coach yesterday when they are leading their division and high up in the conference standings, but really is a general question from all of the firings a week into the season or other weird times.

How can you fire your coach under this circumstance? It wouldn't happen in another sport, yet in the NHL it seems that coaches are always fired at these weird times. Is there a reason for it? Or are coaches in the sport just that easily expendable?

[millartime15]

I say no

The Caps under Hanlon sucked and since Bruce Boudreau took over they have been doing really well.

I actually think that they are one of the most important coaches in sports behind football.

[MikeAD]

The Senators firing was a long time coming. The fans and ownership in Ottawa feel like there is no reason they should be playing "this poorly." I know it seems odd to hear that considering their place in the standings but I've heard it said so many times. When I was out West "study abroad" in january" my roomate was a HUGE Senators fan, hes very happy today.

[ScottieBaseball]

This thread is prompted by the Senators firing their coach yesterday when they are leading their division and high up in the conference standings, but really is a general question from all of the firings a week into the season or other weird times.

How can you fire your coach under this circumstance? It wouldn't happen in another sport, yet in the NHL it seems that coaches are always fired at these weird times. Is there a reason for it? Or are coaches in the sport just that easily expendable?

Yes it does/did. See "Schottenheimer, Marty" formerly of the San Diego Chargers.

[Dr. FLK]

Yes it does/did. See "Schottenheimer, Marty" formerly of the San Diego Chargers.

But he wasn't fired during the season while his team was in first place.