According to CapFriendly, there are 11 head coaches that don't have contracts for next year or have a team option to extend. This should make it one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory when it comes to head coaching movement. Pierre LeBrun of TSN spoke on «Insider Trading» about a few of the coaches looking for a new contract.
Bruce Boudreau, of the Vancouver Canucks has an option in his contract to return next year. It is believed the 67-year-old and the team will exercise that option to keep him around next season. But if the Canucks want to keep Boudreau long-term they will have to offer him a new contract.
Marty St. Louis has breathed new life into the young Montreal Canadiens players. Their two young stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield have done a complete 180 on their season since the new coach has arrived. St. Louis was only contracted to coach the Canadiens until the end of this season but many believe he has done enough to warrant an extension. Kent Hughes has made it known he'd like to keep the rookie Head Coach around.
Rick Bowness, is in the final year of his contract as head coach of the Dallas Stars. It doesn't sound like Bowness wants to coach anywhere else and may be contemplating retirement. I believe it will depend on how the season ends for the Stars.
The Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken also have decisions to make on their head coaches. Whether it's removing the interim tag, extending current coaches, or moving on. It's going to be a wild offseason for the coaching carousel.
