Predators Coaching Situation Getting Messy
With a year remaining on his contract, Nashville Predators head coach John Hynes still appears to be waiting for clarity on his future with the organization.
According to Elliotte Friedman, incoming General Manager Barry Trotz may still be searching for the Nashville Predators' new head coach despite John Hynes having a year remaining on his contract with the franchise.
"I do believe the Predators have talked to some other potential coaches," Friedman shared during a conversation on Sportsnet. "I think some people would like to see Hynes get some clarity here on what his future is."
The coaching decision has been murky since the end of the season. After the Predators missed the playoffs, Barry Trotz was complimentary but noncommittal about Hynes and his future with the franchise.
"John has done a terrific job in us doing a little bit of a tear down with some guys," Trotz said at the end of the season presser with David Poile and Hynes. "John has a contract, and as I said, this will be a process. John is going to talk about his plan for next year and go from there. That's the process, and you've got to respect the process."
If the front office decides to go a different direction than Hynes next season, many in Nashville expect the front runner to be Milwaukee Admirals head coach Karl Taylor. Taylor is currently coaching the Admirals in the AHL's Western Conference Finals series. It's important to remember that Barry Trotz's coaching connections are broad and while many feel it is time to give Taylor a chance in the NHL, Friedman's word choice makes it sound like there may be more than one candidate involved in potential coaching conversations.
It remains to be seen who will be standing behind the bench for the Nashville Predators next season, but fans are ready to hear Trotz's final decision. While some Predators fans feel the team's new direction needs a new head coach, there is a case to be made that Hynes successfully shepherded a young and somewhat inexperienced team down the stretch of last season. Friedman's comments fuel the already simmering coaching debate in Nashville as fans await an announcement that is hopefully coming soon.
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