In Season Coaching Changes

[Canadiens1958]

In season coaching changes. Part of NHL history, each situation with unique circumstances and results. The last one that almost produced the desired short-term effects happened in Philadelphia during the 209-10 season when Peter Laviolette took over about 1/3 of the way into the season and the Flyers went to the SC finals. This year the Flyers did not do as well.

Examples of successful in season coaching changes would have to include Larry Robinson taking over in New Jersey with under 10 games to go in the 1999-00 season and leading the Devils to the 2000 Stanley Cup. Unsuccessfully changes are commonplace.

A historic overview looking at teams, reasons and results should be interesting.

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[Iain Fyffe]

I've always thought that one reason coaching changes can be successful is that you can select the coach that best fits your roster. Rosters change over time, of course, and they may develop in ways that result in an existing coach no longer being as effective as they were before. The new coach is more appropriate for the current roster; then of course that roster changes over time again, and the cycle continues.

Not sure how often this is the case, but it's one possibility.

 

[Canadiens1958]

Coaching Changes

Eliminating non-coaching factors such as health, etc. Coaching changes always reduce to the coach not being able to make the necessay changes and move forward with the team. The timing and details of each situation are variables.

In season changes are an interesting subgroup since the results produced are evaluated by different criteria from post season changes in most instances.