The end of the 2024-25 NHL season has resulted in a significant number of head coaching vacancies, with eight teams seeking new bench leaders, marking one of the most extensive turnover periods in recent years. As the offseason progresses, five teams have already made their hires, while the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken continue their searches. It is an opportune moment to assess the coaching appointments made thus far, considering which candidates the remaining teams may regret not bringing on board.

The Chicago Blackhawks have opted for a familiar face in their recent hire, appointing former Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill. Known for his extensive experience in player development, which includes coaching in the USHL, NCAA, and AHL before leading the Red Wings from 2015-16, Blashill's most recent tenure was alongside coaching legend Jon Cooper with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blackhawks have cycled through four different first-year NHL head coaches in the past five years and now aim to leverage Blashill's expertise to effectively navigate their ongoing rebuilding phase. Given the team's current standing, there is minimal pressure for immediate success, suggesting that this hire provides a low-risk opportunity to see if Blashill can help the Blackhawks make meaningful strides in the coming years.

The New York Rangers made headlines with their selection of Mike Sullivan, a move that many view as a critical step in rectifying the challenges they faced last season. Leveraging his longstanding connections to Sullivan from their previous associations with Boston University and USA Hockey, General Manager Chris Drury secured Sullivan on a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $6.5 million, establishing him as the highest-paid coach in NHL history. Sullivan arrives after a decade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, culminating in eight playoff seasons, back-to-back Stanley Cup victories, and a robust coaching record. With a history of achieving success with established teams pursuing championship aspirations, Sullivan’s challenge will be to rejuvenate the Rangers and return them to a competitive trajectory.

Rick Tocchet's appointment as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers has generated significant attention. Renowned for his personable nature and coaching acumen, Tocchet has a diverse coaching background, winning the Jack Adams Award during his effective run with the Vancouver Canucks. A distinguished former Flyer player and Hall of Famer, Tocchet is beloved by the franchise and its fanbase alike. Expectations are high for Tocchet to lead the Flyers out of a prolonged period of underperformance, but this hire carries substantial risk, as pressures could mount before the team is ready to contend for significant achievements. A comparison can be drawn to Rod Brind'Amour, whose successful tenure with the Carolina Hurricanes also faced scrutiny at its inception.

The Vancouver Canucks have announced the promotion of assistant coach Adam Foote as their new head coach, a decision met with varied opinions. Following a tumultuous prior season, the Canucks hope to build on the defensive progress made under Tocchet's guidance. Foote's familiarity with the team—and particularly his rapport with star defenseman Quinn Hughes—positions him to maintain some continuity during what many hope will be a transformative period for the franchise. However, the Canucks management faces skepticism regarding their decision-making, particularly if any unexpected shifts occur in the roster.

The coming months will be crucial for all teams involved in these coaching changes, as the effectiveness of each hire will be evaluated in the context of the respective franchises' goals and trajectories moving forward.