Analyze New Jersey Devils Head Coaching Candidates: Peter Laviolette

Welcome back everyone! This is not who I originally was going to write about for “episode” two, but given the recent news on the social media platforms it was clear this one could not wait. If you missed the premiere article to my mini series you can give that a look here to get some context. Now that you know what the series is all about let’s waste no more time and get into the recently named “front runner” candidate for the New Jersey Devils head coaching spot, Peter Laviolette.

Last week, TSN Insider Darren Dreger said that Laviolette is the name he kept hearing thrown around as the front runner for the job. This naturally sent Devils Twitter into a spiral of mixed emotions. Some were very thrilled to hear this, some not as much, some are indifferent and are just glad it would signal a change. Now let’s take a bit deeper look into the now former Nashville Predators coach.

Devils fans will probably not get a better hockey resume for a head coach (currently in the running) than Laviolette. He began coaching in the NHL at the age of 37 with the New York Islanders and made it to the playoffs both years during his time there. Of course, his biggest success comes from his time with the Carolina Hurricanes. In just his second year there, he coached his team all the way to their first ever Stanley Cup. He has since gone on to appear in two more Finals with the Philadelphia Flyers and Predators.

The stats speaks for itself. His record is impressive, he certainly brings immediate success to every franchise he has gone to so far and he has not missed the playoffs since the shortened 2012-13 season. But, is he the LONG TERM solution for the young team in New Jersey?

In my personal opinion, the simple answer is no. He is a phenomenal coach that rarely sees a losing team, but there is one thing those teams had that the Devils certainly do not yet. They were teams that were already built for playoff runs and a great coach like Laviolette is perfect to push them even further, hence the three final appearances and one ring.

But New Jersey is still in the middle of figuring themselves out and does not have the potential to hit a deep playoff run just yet. I personally believe that is still about two seasons off. So therefore, while the resume is second to none, the system Peter Laviolette runs will get him hired somewhere, but it just would not mesh with the young team that is the New Jersey Devils.

Thanks for tuning in again folks! A little longer than I had hoped for since the motto is “short and to the point!” but given the recent news it felt important to go into a little extra detail and analysis.