Predators Hire John Hynes as Head Coach

Former New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes take the Nashville Predators job a day after the team fired Peter Laviolette.

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Nashville Predators have hired former New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes as the third coach in franchise history after firing Peter Laviolette.

The Predators announced the hiring Tuesday morning before a morning skate. Nashville hosts Boston on Tuesday night.

General manager David Poile said in a news release that Hynes is a bright young coach with a track record of both developing young players and motivating veterans. Poile says they are confident Hynes can get the most out of the Predators.

Hynes was 150-149-5 as head coach with the New Jersey Devils, who fired him Dec. 3 despite signing him to a multiyear extension last January. The Devils fired him after a 9-13-4 start that left New Jersey in last place in the Metropolitan Division and with the NHL’s second-worst record.

Poile fired Laviolette and assistant coach Kevin McCarthy on Monday after the Predators (19-15-7) had dropped four of six. They are 11th in the Western Conference standings with 45 points.