BREAKING: Predators Fire Laviolette

Overtime Heroics Editorial

2069 days ago

After five plus seasons with the Nashville Predators, Head Coach Peter Laviolette was given the pink slip a day after a 5-4 shootout loss at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. Despite bringing the team to the finals back in 2017, he’s failed to see much success.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 29: Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette and assistants Dan Lambert and Dan Muse watch the action against the Chicago Blackhawks at Bridgestone Arena on October 29, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

#Preds relieve Peter Laviolette, Kevin McCarthy of coaching duties. https://t.co/I34a5DVM8v

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) January 6, 2020

The move comes just a day after Predators General Manager David Poile said he wasn"t making a coaching change.

I met with [Laviolette] this morning. We had a long talk about lots of different situations going forward. I"m not contemplating making any coaching change at this time.

– David Poile on a radio show regarding Laviolette"s future as the Preadtors coach

The Predators are four points out of a playoff spot in the Central. For the Preds, Laviolette coached 451 games. He"s gone 248-143-60 with a .616 win%. He becomes the sixth NHL coach fired this season. Throughout his career, he"s coached 18 seasons, going to the playoffs 11 times, the finals three times, and a Stanley Cup win back in the 2005-06 campaign with the Carolina Hurricanes.

The future in uncertain for Peter Laviolette. The New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars could be front runners.

What"s Next for Nashville?

According to Elliotte Friedman reports that the Predators will announce a new coach prior to matinee v.s. the Boston Bruins.

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1214332095255982081

John Hynes, former NJ Devils bench boss, could be a possibility for the job. The Predators have a talented roster which includes Roman Josi and Matt Duchene. With the right coach, the Predators should be able to go to the playoffs. four points is an easy thing to accomplish in the NHL. With a new coach, they should have some urgency in the locker room.