Ten NHL Coaches Enter Final Contract Year in 2026

Ten NHL head coaches enter the final year of their contracts this summer, including Jared Bednar after Colorado’s first-round sweep.

Extensions expected before training camp

John Tortorella remains the sole coach whose deal expires after the 2025-26 season. Pierre LeBrun reported on May 26 that the two sides intend to reach an agreement. Tortorella took over the Vegas Golden Knights in late March and guided them to the Pacific Division title.

Three other coaches stand out for swift resolutions. John Hynes, Martin St. Louis and Spencer Carbery are all projected to receive extensions without prolonged negotiations. Hynes enters year three of his Wild contract. St. Louis guides a young Canadiens roster that reached the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Carbery led the Capitals through a strong regular season.

Joel Quenneville turns 68 before the 2026-27 campaign opens. The Ducks coach signed a two-year deal last summer and may delay any commitment. No team has requested permission to speak with Patrick Roy, who still has two years remaining at an annual salary of $4 million.

Permission barriers limit options

Bruce Cassidy was fired by the Golden Knights and has expressed interest in the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings positions. Neither club received permission to contact him. Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon stated the situation became public only because Edmonton leaked details.

Craig Berube, dismissed by the Maple Leafs on May 13, holds two years at $4.5 million and recently interviewed with Edmonton. Peter Laviolette spoke with the Kings. Jay Woodcroft, scheduled for a Toronto interview this week, already met the Kings last week and remains a frontrunner for either opening.

Kris Knoblauch, let go by Edmonton on May 14, is not expected to join the Leafs search. The Toronto process involves as many as 20 candidates, mostly via Zoom, with in-person meetings planned after the draft combine.

Age and performance shape decisions

Rick Bowness, Andrew Brunette, Ryan Warsofsky and Scott Arniel complete the group entering final contract years. Bowness coaches the Blue Jackets. Brunette leads the Predators. Warsofsky handles the Sharks. Arniel directs the Jets.

Bednar’s situation draws the most attention after the Avalanche exit. His current extension runs through 2026-27, making 2026-27 the final season. No extension discussions have surfaced publicly since the sweep.

The combination of age, recent firings and pending permissions will dictate movement. Teams without permission cannot accelerate timelines. Coaches nearing retirement age retain leverage to wait.