I think it is tough to just give a coach a one-year contract. What is that saying? 1-year renewals aren't exactly a ringing endorsement.
Then you are setting yourself up for another half-season of "When are they going to re-sign Hartley?". I don't think anyone really assumed Hartley was a lame-duck coach, but give him only one year, and I bet there would be some questions. I think you have to give him a 2+ year deal if you are going to sign him at all.
First time up-and-coming coaches? 1 year deals. Coaches that have been fired and have been out of work for a while (like Hartley a couple of seasons back)? 1 year deals. Coaches that have been lauded within the organization and externally by the hockey community as a whole, and their respective media? 2 years minimum I think. Bet he gets 3.
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