The finalists for the Jack Adams Award were announced on Friday afternoon.
The award is given annually to the NHL coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.”
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, and Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse were named finalists for the award.
Cooper led the Lightning back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and is one of the best coaches in the NHL. He’s also never won the award before.
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Ruff guided the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season. The Sabres had a dreadful start to this season, but caught fire in December and kept it going into the playoffs. They’re one of the best teams in the league.
Muse took over a Penguins’ team that had very low expectations for this season and guided them to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Several players also had career seasons under Muse, including Anthony Mantha, who finished the season with 33 goals and 64 points.
Erik Karlsson also had his best season as a Penguin under Muse, compiling 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games.
It’s a well-deserved honor for Muse and time will tell if he wins it.
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