The pressure to win now is greater than it has ever been in the NHL. While some general managers are given more leniency when it comes to the amount of time they have to build a contender, other GM’s don’t have the same luxury as their teams are expected to win now. There are a number of teams that have underachieved this season, resulting in their general managers ending up on the hot seat as we close out the month of January. Here is a look at five NHL GM’s that are on the hot seat right now.
Marc Bergevin, Montreal Canadiens
No seat is hotter than the one that Bergevin is sitting on in Montreal. The Canadiens have been a massive disappointment this season and Bergevin’s recent blockbuster trades have been dissected constantly. One year after trading P.K. Subban to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber, Bergevin traded top prospect Mikhail Sergachev to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Jonathan Drouin. On top of those trades, the decisions not to bring back Andrei Markov and Alexander Radulov haven’t helped. Montreal will not make the playoffs this season. That means they will turn their attention to the future and with a chance to add some key future pieces before the NHL trade deadline. The clock is ticking for Bergevin to make some moves. If he fails to add some key assets at the deadline, it could result in the Canadiens firing him before the end of the season.
Peter Chiarelli, Edmonton Oilers
One year after returning to the playoffs, the Oilers have also failed to live up to expectations this season. Even the NHL’s most talented young player hasn’t been able to carry the Oilers to a playoff position so far. The lack of support around Connor McDavid has been a major issue in Edmonton. It’s only a matter of time before something has to give. Chiarelli has made a number of questionable decisions, including trading a first-round pick for Griffin Reinhart, who isn’t even on the team anymore. Chiarelli also traded Taylor Hall away for Adam Larsson and moved Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome. Those trades look terrible on paper this season as the Oilers continue to struggle offensively even with a healthy McDavid performing at a high level. It’s only a matter of time before something gives in Edmonton. It will be interesting to see if Chiarelli makes it through the season as GM of the Oilers.
Jim Benning, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are 77-101-28 in the Benning era. However, that terrible record has more to do with the team Benning inherited than what he has done with it since. Team President Trevor Linden has been noncommittal about extending Benning’s contract past this season. That means Benning’s work at the trade deadline and how Vancouver performs down the stretch could decide his future with the club.
Pierre Dorian, Ottawa Senators
It’s incredible how quickly the fortunes of a franchise can turn around. The Senators have transformed from a Stanley Cup contender to an afterthought in the Eastern Conference. Last year, Guy Boucher was a Coach of the Year candidate. This year, he hasn’t been able to figure out how to turn his club’s fortunes around. Injuries have played a role in Ottawa’s struggles. However, that doesn’t mean Dorian’s job is safe. Owner Eugene Melnyk’s disappointment with the club’s performance could lead to changes in the offseason. It will be interesting to see if Dorian is still with the team beyond this season.
John Chayka, Arizona Coyotes
The Coyotes took a shot when they hired Chayka as the NHL’s youngest general manager. However, the clock is ticking in the desert. Arizona has been hit hard by the injury bug to key players like goaltender Antti Raanta and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, but it’s hard to put all of the blame on injuries. Chayka traded Anthony Duclair last week after another disappointing start to this season. Meanwhile, the Coyotes have a number of young players that have struggled to live up to expectations including in particularly Max Domi. Chayka could still have one more year to turn things around. However, his seat is heating up in Arizona.
Odds To Win 2018 NHL Stanley Cup
Anaheim Ducks +1750
Arizona Coyotes +50000
Boston Bruins +1000
Buffalo Sabres +35000
Calgary Flames +2500
Carolina Hurricanes +5000
Chicago Blackhawks +2000
Colorado Avalanche +15000
Columbus Blue Jackets +2000
Dallas Stars +2000
Detroit Red Wings +20000
Edmonton Oilers +3000
Florida Panthers +3500
Los Angeles Kings +1200
Minnesota Wild +3000
Nashville Predators +1400
New Jersey Devils +1800
New York Islanders +2000
New York Rangers +1500
Montreal Canadiens +6000
Ottawa Senators +15000
Philadelphia Flyers +6000
Pittsburgh Penguins +2000
San Jose Sharks +2000
St Louis Blues +1500
Tampa Bay Lightning +450
Toronto Maple Leafs +1200
Vancouver Canucks +12500
Vegas Golden Knights +1000
Washington Capitals +1000
Winnipeg Jets +1500
The 2017-18 odds to win the Stanley Cup have been posted. Click here to get the latest lines from BetDSI, including moneylines, totals, props and futures!
