Nashville Predators: Who Is Truly to Blame For Their Failures?
By Rich Howe
Head Coach John Hynes
Hynes inherited a Predators team that was in chaos. A strong start to last season and a spot near the top of the Central Division quickly turned into a question of whether they would even make the playoffs.
With limited time to implement changes, Hynes did the best he could and coaxed some big wins out of the Predators. Before the pandemic hit, the team was sitting in a good spot in the standings.
When the Stanley Cup Qualifiers came, Hynes had a concise window of opportunity to make the changes needed to move the Predators forward.
The Predators technically made the playoffs, but didn’t make the traditional 16-team field for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
Hynes now finds himself on the hot seat with offseason personnel changes that haven’t panned out and a team that struggles to execute consistently. There was never much confidence in the hire from the start.
On the one hand, you have to look at the fact that Hynes has yet to have an entire training camp, and the constant stopping and starting of this crazy season also has to be taken into account.
On the other hand, it’s the coach’s job to motivate and coach this team, pull out the greatness that is on paper, and translate it to wins on the ice. And every head coach is dealing with the same challenges of this crazy season.
Hynes hasn’t helped his case with inexplicable line changes and by not playing some of the younger prospects. The team’s constant inconsistency and lack of intensity may also point to his inability to lead the locker room.
Hynes might have a mostly new team next season and a fresh start. If success continues to elude the team, his future employment past next season will be in question and with good reason.