Predators Coach Takes Ridiculous Penalty Before Game Begins, With his Job Already on the Hot Seat

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Liam McCormick
November 20, 2024 (9:13 PM)

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Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is already on the hot seat for the team's terrible start, and the coach putting his team shorthanded to begin the game may be the last straw.

In tonight's gave between the Predators and Seattle Kraken, Nashville was given a penalty for submitting an incorrect opening lineup.

»Nashville has a minor penalty for starting the incorrect lineup. Number 91 was supposed to start instead of number 9.»

It's a distressing lack of detail for a coach to take such an egregious penalty, especially when the team is already having an extremely disappointing start to the year.

The Predators made several huge free agent signings this year expecting to put themselves in Stanley Cup Contention, and instead find themselves with a 6-10-3 record.

Sportsnet has named Andrew Brunette as one of the coaches likely to be fired early this season. Jim Montgomery was first on the list, and he was canned by the Bruins yesterday.

»In any normal situation, Brunette should notbe feeling the heat. But something's gotta give if this group is to hit its stride before it's too late, and most often that comes in the form of changes behind the bench.»
- Emily Sadler, Sportsnet

For Oilers fans, an angle here is potential openings for former coach Jay Woodcroft. It was just over a year ago that he was fired by the Oilers, and now he's one of the most qualified coaches without a job this year.

As teams reach the first quarter point of the season and are dissatisfied with their teams, more firings will come. Woodcroft will certainly be involved in more job interviews if openings arise.

Former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville has been floated as in discussions for a return to the NHL, and if Oilers GM Stan Bowman was re-hired, Quenneville likely won't be far behind.

The Bruins kicked off coach-firing season with a banger firing one of the most successful coaches in the last few years. If that can happen, NHL teams will surely make some more wild decisions with their next bench bosses.