Revisiting the Biggest Stories for the Nashville Predators in 2023
By Chad Minton
John Hynes Fired, Andrew Brunette Hired as Franchise's 4th Head Coach
It was really uncertain what the Predators were going to do with John Hynes after missing the postseason in 2023. When there was the change in general manager from David Poile to Barry Trotz, it became more likely that Hynes would be let go.
Hynes was never really the popular choice from Day 1 when he took over for Peter Laviolette. The team took on the defensive-minded philosophy, and leaned heavily on near perfect goaltending from Juuse Saros on many occassions.
For all of the criticism Hynes received over his Predators tenure, one thing can be said is that he was viewed as a player's coach. He had respect of the locker room, and is a class act in the way he carries himself.
It's always a results oriented business, and the Predators always fell short under Hynes when it came to winning where it counts in the postseason. It made no sense to move on with Hynes after the change in front office leadership. A new, clean slate was required.
Hynes went 134-96-18 as head coach of the Predators in four seasons, but was 3-11 in playoff games including the franchise's first sweep at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.