Devils remain win-less, Fans begin "Fire Hynes" Chants, Team has big problem

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The New Jersey Devils remained win-less in 6 games as their record grew to 0-4-2 after 1 matinee loss to the Florida Panthers at Prudential Center today. Once again, NJ had a 4-1 lead and ended up losing 6-4 and the power play remained blank. Florida made it 4-3 with under 10 seconds left in period 2 and tied the game in the opening minute of period 3. Fans began chants to fire 5th year Head Coach John Hynes, who's seat is getting hotter with each passing game. This was the start of a 6 game home stand for the team, but the question is, how long is the leash right now on John Hynes?

As I mentioned, NJ has the next 5 games at home with a Thursday night match-up against the arch-rival NY Rangers and the #2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko. It appears very likely that Hynes will not be fired by then or even this Saturday's matinee against the Vancouver Canucks. However, the team will not play until the following Friday after that giving them 6 days off. That could be the first window to make a change as the new coach will have some time to implement some new concepts. After that they will have 5 days off in between games, so 2 large windows to make a decision.

Which begs the next question, if you fire Hynes, who should replace him? Is there anyone better out there. That is another problem. It is very tough to pluck an Assistant or and AHL Head Coach from another team. There are the likes of Guy Boucher, Randy Carlyle, Bob Hartley, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron or Darryl Sutter who are available, but are they really worth firing Hynes for? Sheldon Keefe is the hottest AHL candidate, but would the Leafs let him go from the Marlies. Fans sure do not want Alain Nasserdine, Rick Kowalsky or Mike Grier as an interim or permanent option. Internally, they have former Winnipeg Jets coach Claude Noel as a Pro Scout along with 2 time interim coach in Florida and Toronto Peter Horachek, but rhose are not enticing names. A Dan Bylsma and Ray Shero reunion is not in the cards. Former Devil John Madden could be another possibility and he spent the past few seasons as the Columbus AHL coach in Cleveland.

So, there we go, it appears the leash is short on Hynes, but Shero will be very patient and thorough in the decision making as firing Hynes could have huge ramifications with regards to Taylor Hall's future and other players. Hall appears to be a huge fan of Hynes, but it is ultimately Shero's job to do what is best for the team.

In my opinion, the issue with NJ is deeper that Hynes. My belief is that the team does not have a #1 goaltender. Schneider has been ok this year, but is still letting some soft goals in. Blackwood, well has been very awful and the verdict is still out. Also, the team desperately needs 2 left handed shooting stay at home defensemen. They played today with 5 Right Handed shooting defenders, not very typical for a team, so there is that. Andy Greene remains out of the lineup with injury, but that is not a reason to absolve Hynes of anything.

Their biggest issue I think is non proven commodities. Nico is still learning and he will be a great player, but he is a long-term development, same with Hughes, so that is why there is no chemistry there. So, maybe the lack of experience up front is their primary issue. Could it get fixed quickly? Possibly, it might but it could also be their downfall this season and ultimately cost John Hynes his job. 

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