Keefe, Boudreau among NHL coaches at risk this season

Players aren't the only ones feeling pressure as the NHL season gets underway.

The men behind the bench know their jobs depend on their team's performance, too. Life as an NHL head coach can be precarious, and last season, seven teams across the league opted to swap their bench boss midseason.

Here's a look at six head coaches who could be in trouble as the 2022-23 campaign gets underway.

BRUCE BOUDREAU, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

The Canucks closed out their season with a 31-15-10 run after Boudreau took over in December, prompting crowds in Vancouver to chant "Bruce, there it is!" to the tune of Tag Team's "Whoomp! (There it is)." The performance wasn't enough, though, for Vancouver to clinch a playoff spot and the coach received just a one-year contract extension in response. To keep the gig, Boudreau will need to impress general manager Patrik Allvin and president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford with a solid start this year.

DALLAS EAKINS, ANAHEIM DUCKS

Expectations have grown for the Ducks as youngsters like Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry and Mason McTavish grow into their roles as emerging NHL stars. Anaheim's front office showed it's serious about taking the next step this summer, signing Ryan Strome, Frank Vatrano and John Klingberg as free agents. Now in his fourth season as head coach, Eakins needs to harness all that talent and guide Anaheim to its first playoff appearance since 2018.

SHELDON KEEFE, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Wins haven't been an issue over Keefe's first three seasons as head coach of the Maple Leafs. It's a deep playoff run that remains elusive. Toronto has a 116-50-19 regular-season record during his tenure as head coach and, for the last two seasons, has boasted the league's top goal scorer in Auston