In NHL Coach Class, Expect Cancellation

Editor's Note: This is the second of our 5-part conversation with sports & business writer Carol Schram, a The Hockey News columnist.

The list of legacy and online media outlets Carol's contributed to - from the New York Times to Toronto Globe & Mail to CBC - is longer than Zdeno Chara.

Though it hardly seems possible, the lifespan of NHL coaches seems to be shrinking. And the achievements which used to provide a bulwark to termination have virtually disappeared.

Look no further than former Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. One year ago, he presided over the best year-over-year improvement of a team in NHL history. He was a finalist for coach of the year, and celebrated a two year contract extension. Then his team takes a tumble, and he's out of work.

He's not alone. You'd take a guy who compiled a 212-97-40 regular season record, a .665 winning percentage, wouldn't you? The Maple Leafs took Sheldon Keefe right to the unemployment line, because he couldn't get Toronto deep into the playoffs.

In today's Kraken Reaction conversation with Carol Schram, we dissect all this, plus:

• Candidates to be the next Kraken coach
• Why NHL teams seem so impatient
• The success this year of coaches on their 5th, or even 6th job
• A Bonus Mel Blanc reference