Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche, Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The NHL has seen a lot of coaching changes over the past few seasons. Ten coaches got fresh starts with new teams this past offseason, plus three added to different teams during this past season.
Some teams that are trying out new coaches this upcoming season have legitimate plans to contend for the playoffs, like the Panthers, Bruins and Golden Knights. While some other teams like the Blackhawks and Sharks are trying to rebuild.
The three longest-serving coaches in the NHL all have one thing in common. They have won championships with their team. I do not know if that necessarily gave things away as to the three coaches on this list, but it should give a good indication.
Each of the three coaches have been with their team for more than at least 400 games, the tear below that has five coaches that have coached over 200 games with their team. Those coaches are Dallas Eakins with Anaheim, DJ Smith with Ottawa, Todd McLellan with LA, Craig Berube with St. Louis and Rod Brind’Amour with the Carolina Hurricanes.
One note about Berube with the Blues, he is the only coach outside of the top three to have won a championship with his current team. While there are some Stanley Cup championship coaches in the NHL, only Berube and the top three coaches have done so with the current team they coach for.
So without further ado, let’s jump in with the third longest-serving coach in the NHL.