Head coach John Hynes and Assistant coach Dan Lambert have been relieved of their coaching duties with the Nashville Predators.
Head coach John Hynes and Assistant coach Dan Lambert have been relieved of their coaching duties with the Nashville Predators.
The Nashville Predators formally announced they are parting ways with John Hynes. Kevin Weekes first broke the news earlier today, and now the organization has released a statement confirming that they are moving in a different direction with the coaching staff. Assistant Coach Dan Lambert is also out in Nashville.
Hynes, who had one year remaining on his contract with the Predators, went 134-96-18 in his tenure behind the bench from 2020-2023. Hynes took over in January 2020 after GM David Poile relieved then coach Peter Laviolette of his duties midseason. Hynes's time with the franchise was interrupted early in his tenure by COVID and the following 2020-2021 shortened season. The Predators made it into the postseason in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 but lost in the first rounds to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche respectively. This season the Predators missed the playoffs entirely for the first time since 2013-2014.
In the official press release, incoming GM Barry Trotz shared his thoughts on John Hynes.
"John Hynes is a good man and a good hockey coach. He did an outstanding job after the trade deadline with our team, especially with our young players, and he is a well prepared, hard working coach who will continue to grow in the NHL."
After the Predators decided to move some key pieces at the trade deadline including Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund, Tanner Jeannot, and Mattias Ekholm, the franchise clearly pivoted in a new direction. Between the sell off and a host of veteran injuries, Nashville relied on their youth to carry the team down the stretch just missing the playoffs this season. With a new direction and a new General Manager hesitant to commit to Hynes after the season, it is not surprising that Trotz decided to part ways with Hynes.
It was also announced today that assistant coach Dan Lambert was also let go. Lambert worked on the power play during his tenure with the Preds from 2019-2023. Under Lambert, the power play set a franchise record in 2021-2022, but struggled with consistency during some of his tenure.
While the Predators have not formally announced their next head coach, it is believed that Andrew Brunette will take over behind the bench. Brunette's head coaching experience was most recently with the Florida Panthers when he took over for Joel Quenneville in October 2021. Under Brunette, the Panthers won the Presidents Trophy in 2021-2022 and Brunette was nominated for the Jack Adams award. Florida went on to hire Paul Maurice and Brunette spent last season as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.
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Preds Moving On from Hynes: Andrew Brunette to Be Named New Head Coach