Predators make a surprise announcement regarding the future of their coaching staff.

The Nashville Predators went out with a bit a whimper this year in the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and almost immediately following their exit there were calls for the organization to make wholesale changes. It was not just that the Predators went out in the first round but the way in which they were thoroughly dominated by the Dallas Stars, a team that at times this season looked like they would not even make the playoffs, that really raised some alarm bells among fans and pundits alike.

In a recent article penned for The Athletic Nashville Predators insider Adam Vingan touched of the fact that questions had begun to be raised about the future of head coach Peter Laviolette behind the bench. I can not speak for Vingan here but it definitely seems to me like he was leaning in favor of a major change behind the bench, but stopped just short of saying so, instead suggesting that, at the very least, a sacrifice of one of Laviolette's assistants was in order.

From Vingan:

Because of that, Peter Laviolette will be the subject of scrutiny, and rightfully so. This wasn’t a coin-flip series; the Stars were the superior team throughout most of it. The Predators either didn’t make the necessary tactical adjustments to combat the Stars, or they did and failed to execute them.

Regardless, Laviolette, as with any coach, is responsible for that. He should take some heat.

At the very least, one of Laviolette’s assistants, long-time associate Kevin McCarthy or Dan Muse, needs to be sacrificed. There must be repercussions for the sterile and frankly embarrassing power play, which was the worst in the NHL and the only unit not to score in the first round despite 15 opportunities.

Vingan is not only, in my opinion, the best Predators reporter in the business but he generally takes a pretty favorable view of the team as far as I can tell. If someone like him is calling for changes to be made I think it's safe to say that it is not merely a reactionary response to an early playoff exit. That being said though it does not appear that either Vingan or a large segment of the Predators fan base will be getting what they want. 

Again From Vingan:

At the moment, that isn’t the case. General manager David Poile told The Athletic on Wednesday that Laviolette, who is under contract through the 2020-21 season, and his entire staff, notably associate coach Kevin McCarthy and assistant coach Dan Muse, will be retained for next season.

Laviolette returning for a sixth season with the Predators isn’t a surprise; Poile, who has overseen five coaches in nearly 40 years as a GM, isn’t one to react emotionally. But the decision to keep McCarthy and Muse will rankle those who wanted accountability, especially for the team’s dreadful power play.

I imagine the reaction to this announcement will be a mixed one but given the negativity following the early playoff loss for the Predators I imagine it will tilt significantly more towards the negative side of things. How do you feel about the decision? Is keeping Laviolette and his staff the right move? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.