Fansided

4 candidates to be the Seattle NHL team’s first head coach

By Brad Berreman

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 28: Ron Francis speaks as he is named the new general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes during a press conference at PNC Arena on April 28, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 28: Ron Francis speaks as he is named the new general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes during a press conference at PNC Arena on April 28, 2014 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images /

2. Peter Laviolette

Laviolette was fired by Nashville just after the first of the year, as the Predators had 19-15-7 record. But they won back-to-back division titles with him behind the bench prior to that, with a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final before that in 2017.

Over 18 seasons as an NHL head coach, with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and the Predators, Laviolette has 637 wins (16th most all-time) and nine playoff appearances in 15 full seasons. He led Carolina to a Stanley Cup in 2006, with a third career trip to the Stanley Cup Final with the Flyers in 2010.

Laviolette is set to go back behind the bench and coach Team USA in the world hockey championships, which take place from May 8-24. How that obligation will affect his candidacy for NHL openings is unclear, but there should be a few teams willing to wait before they hire a new coach. Of course Seattle is not going to play next season, so they are in a more unique position to wait a to hire a coach if necessary.

Nothing significant should prevent Francis from talking to Laviolette about the Seattle job immediately. If an initial conversation has not happened, one should take place soon.

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