John Hynes was fired as coach of the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
The Predators (42-32-8) failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2013-14, finishing three points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card from the Western Conference. They had qualified for the postseason in each of Hynes’ first three seasons but did not win a series.
Hynes, who had one season remaining on a two-year contract he signed with the Predators on May 19, 2022, was 134-96-18 in 248 regular-season games with Nashville since replacing Peter Laviolette on Jan. 7, 2020. He was 3-11 in 14 postseason games.
No replacement was named. Assistant coach Dan Lambert was also fired.
Hynes helped the Predators remain in the playoff race this season even after they sold off a number of players prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, including defenseman Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton Oilers), and forwards Nino Niederreiter (Jets), Tanner Jeannot (Lightning) and Mikael Granlund (Penguins). Defenseman Roman Josi (concussion), and forwards Matt Duchene (finger), Filip Forsberg (concussion) and Ryan Johansen (surgery on right leg) also missed significant time because of injuries this season.
“John Hynes is a good man and a good hockey coach,” said Barry Trotz, who will replace David Poile as Predators general manager on July 1. “He did an outstanding job after the trade deadline with our team, especially with our young players, and he is a well-prepared, hard-working coach who will continue to grow in the NHL. After our year-end meetings and some additional evaluation, it was time to change the voice and time to go in a different direction. On behalf of all of us at the Predators, we’d like to thank John for all his work here and wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”
Hynes is the sixth coach to be let go since the season ended, joining Dallas Eakins (Anaheim Ducks), Peter Laviolette (Washington Capitals), Brad Larsen (Columbus Blue Jackets), Darryl Sutter (Calgary Flames) and Gerard Gallant (New York Rangers). The Capitals hired Spencer Carbery to replace Laviolette earlier on Tuesday.
Hynes is 284-255-63 in 602 regular-season games with the New Jersey Devils and Predators. He is also 4-15 in 19 playoff games.
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