The "exempts," aka "You either won the Cup or are brand new."
Bruce Cassidy Spencer Carberry Peter Laviolette (ugh) Mike Babcock (uuuuugggghh) Andrew Brunette Ryan Huska Greg Cronin
I think that's everyone.
Anyway, here are the primary candidates, in reverse order of projected jeopardy:
5. Jon Cooper - Just like first-year guys get a pass, the longest-tenured coach in the league gets an automatic spot on this list.
4. Lindy Ruff - The fans were literally calling for his head just last season (only to chant an apology later on). But this team has Stanley Cup aspirations and a still-not-great situation in goal. One slump and the knives will be out again in earnest.
3. Mike Sullivan - Sullivan is the second-longest tenured coach in the league, and he also has the league's oldest roster. He also has a new boss in Kyle Dubas, and Sullivan has a reputation for rubbing players the wrong way. It also doesn't help that his goaltending is one Tristan Jarry injury away from imploding completely (again).
2. Jay Woodcroft - Is this the year? No, not the year the Oilers win it all, the year Connor McDavid finally demands a trade. Thanks to continued mismanagement, Edmonton is likely headed for Cap Armageddon soon, and they already have at least two extremely onerous contracts on the books. Surely at some point #97 is gonna get fed up. All that said, Woodcroft probably won't survive anything less than a deep playoff run, since there may not be much time left and this ownership group has already shown they can be extremely panicky.
1. D.J. Smith - I gotta be honest, I'm more than a bit surprised he wasn't axed last season, but here we are. It's possible Dorion gave him a pass due to huge goaltending issues and uncertainty with ownership. Now, the goaltending is still a huge question mark, but expectations are still high with the core essentially locked in for huge money. Doesn't help that the Sens exist in a meat grinder of a division. This team did remarkably well on special teams, it was even strength play and play between the pipes that ultimately did them in. Will D.J. be able to fix those two issues? Guess we'll see.
Honorable mentions:
Jared Bednar - Bednar is the third-longest tenured coach in the league, and longest-tenured coach in Avs/Nords franchise history. He's only one year removed from a Stanley Cup championship, so he has that going for him, but he also has a roster that is seemingly made out of balsa wood and chewing gum. The Avs are also taking a few chances on some players like Ryan Johansen, mostly due to a depleted prospect base. Bednar also has one other thing going for him--there is no real heir apparent to replace him in case things go south this season.
Sheldon Keefe - Keefe was just extended, but Ken Hitchcock will be the first guy to tell you that means nothing in terms of job security. Keefe, like Sullivan, has a new boss this year. Expectations are pretty high following Toronto finally getting the first round monkey off their backs, and like Cooper and Smith, it doesn't help that the division the Leafs are in is likely going to be tough sledding.
BONUS, the GM Hot Seat:
Pierre Dorion - The ownership situation is not yet finalized, but Dorion already has some major stumbles during his tenure, and his new boss may not be all that keen on keeping him aboard. A win streak will definitely help, but failing that, Dorion may be following Deejay out the door.
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