5 NHL Coaches Making Robust Jack Adams Award Circumstances After October

It’s early within the NHL’s present season, however there are already some clear-cut candidates for the league’s Jack Adams Award because the coach of the 12 months.

Right here’s this author’s perspective on which 5 NHL coaches are main the pack for the Jack Adams. In no explicit order:

Paul Maurice, Florida Panthers

Generally, the Jack Adams is given as a sort of lifetime achievement honor, however every coach given the award will need to have had nice regular-season success in that exact 12 months. Maurice has already guided the Panthers to a 7-3-1 begin within the extremely aggressive Atlantic Division.

As we noted last week, Maurice is likely one of the most completed coaches of his era, and he lastly broke by way of along with his first Stanley Cup championship with Florida final season. A Jack Adams win would underscore his achievements, and he nonetheless has many extra seasons forward of him so as to add multiple Jack Adams.

Related: Paul Maurice Is One Of The Best NHL Coaches Ever – Even Before His Extension

Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals

The Capitals made huge modifications to their lineup this previous summer season. However one of many constants between Washington’s run to the playoffs and their present sizzling streak to begin the 12 months is Carbery, who finished seventh in voting for the Jack Adams last season.

Carbery was extremely thought to be an assistant earlier than taking the Caps’ job final 12 months, and this season, he’s proving his achievements had been no fluke. If Carbery guides Washington to the highest of the Metropolitan Division, he’ll get much more Jack Adams votes subsequent spring, and if he does win the award, nobody will begrudge him as somebody whose abilities had been exaggerated.

Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets

No workforce had a warmer begin to the present season than the Jets. Arniel is doing effectively up to now in his second NHL teaching job with Winnipeg after guiding the Columbus Blue Jackets to a fourth-place end within the Central Division in 2010-11.

Arniel has gotten loads of assist from star Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who may win back-to-back Vezina Trophies. However Arniel has accentuated the positives for the Jets – particularly, their pace, high-end ability and savvy possession sport.

If the Jets proceed to dominate, Arniel will garner many Jack Adams votes. Arniel isn’t a family identify, but when Winnipeg prospers, he’ll develop into one – and a Jack Adams Award may very well be one among his rewards.

Related: NHL Power Rankings: Jets Still Soar, But It’s Very Close Up Top

Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights

Cassidy received his first Jack Adams teaching Boston in 2019-20. If he wins this 12 months’s coach-of-the-year award, Cassidy will be part of a choose few bench bosses in profitable no less than two Jack Adams Awards with two totally different franchises – a bunch that features John Tortorella, Barry Trotz, Pat Quinn and Scotty Bowman.

Cassidy advantages from teaching one of many deepest groups within the NHL, however he’s proven the power to efficiently acclimate to a brand new group and rapidly get a bunch of gamers taking part in the best means. If he guides the Golden Knights to a prime spot within the Pacific Division, Cassidy will definitely be within the operating for his second Jack Adams.

Peter DeBoer, Dallas Stars

DeBoer’s been teaching within the NHL since 2008–09. Whereas he’s coached 5 totally different groups in that span (Florida, New Jersey, San Jose, Vegas and Dallas), DeBoer has piled up the wins – posting a 619-423-146 document – and he’s at the moment bought his Stars workforce clicking on all gears at 7-2-0.

DeBoer clearly has the respect of GMs all through the league, however he has but to win a Jack Adams Award. One other stellar season from Dallas will virtually assuredly make him a Jack Adams front-runner this season. If he guides the Stars to the second Cup in workforce historical past, DeBoer shall be staying in Texas for the foreseeable future.

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