With the Dallas Stars finalizing a deal with Glen Gulutzan on July 1 to become their new head coach, all 32 teams have their man behind the bench for the 2025-26 season.
Overall, nine teams hired new head coaches, but these four have the best chance of success this season:
Adam Foote, Vancouver Canucks
In his first NHL head-coaching job, Foote — who played in the league for 20 seasons — gets a team that endured plenty of disfunction last season.
The good news for Foote is that his roster includes former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, former Vezina finalist Thatcher Demko and No. 1 center Elias Pettersson. Vancouver also re-signed winger Brock Boeser to a long-term deal. However, their center depth may be lacking a bit after its trade of J.T. Miller and the injury histories of Demko and Boeser.
Vancouver will face an uphill climb in a tough Pacific Division that includes powers Edmonton, Vegas and Los Angeles. Foote must get the best out of his stars to get Vancouver back into the postseason. The Canucks have made the postseason only twice over the past 10 seasons.
Rick Tocchet, Philadelphia Flyers
The former Jack Adams Award winner (NHL Coach of Year) was fired by the Vancouver Canucks after a disappointing season and subsequently scooped up by the Flyers, who had fired John Tortorella. Tocchet brings a similar gritty, heavy forechecking approach as Tortorella that seems to fit for the Flyers.
Philadelphia features solid, young talent, including budding superstar forward Matvei Michkov and newly acquired winger Trevor Zegras.
Hey @NHLFlyers fans 👋
Please enjoy these Trevor Zegras highlights 🫴 pic.twitter.com/Aka6qY1DCV— NHL (@NHL) June 23, 2025
The Flyers’ biggest issue is goaltending. Philadelphia finished last in team save percentage last season. Tocchet must get better play in the net.
Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers
The two-time Stanley Cup champion parted with the Pittsburgh Penguins after a third straight season out of the playoffs. New York, the 2024 President’s Trophy-winning team, faltered last season, missing the playoffs after three straight seasons in the postseason.
New York traded young defenseman K’Andre Miller, 25, but it signed the top defensive free agent, Vladislav Gavrikov, who should form an elite pairing with former Norris winner Adam Fox. The Rangers also have center J.T. Miller (acquired last January) for a full season and former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin in net.
The Rangers have plenty of talent to compete in a wide-open Metropolitan Division, so Sullivan has a great chance at getting New York back into the playoffs.
Glen Gulutzan, Dallas Stars
Gulutzan, who coached Dallas from 2011-13, has one of the NHL’s most talented rosters.
The Stars re-signed Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn for their forward group, which also includes stars Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson. It may be the best unit in the league.
Dallas' defensive core features a star (Miro Heiskanen) and breakout youngster (23-year-old Thomas Harley). They’re backstopped in net by Jake Oettinger, who could start for Team USA at the 2026 Olympics. With all this talent, Gulutzan has the best chance of success of any new NHL coach.
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