If there's anything we know about NHL hiring practices, it's that they can be predictable. Since 2005-06, there have been 171 head coaching changes in the NHL -- more than the NFL, NBA or MLB. However, 101 of the 171 new hires had previous head-coaching experience, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. That 59.1% rate of "retreads" is also the highest among the other three major men's professional sports leagues in North America.
So with three coaching vacancies already open this cycle -- the Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Seattle Kraken -- it's easy to guess who will get first looks.