Since the stretch drive is about to begin I am mulling over my choices for coach of the year - the Jack Adams Trophy which technically goes to “the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success”. I get to vote because I am a member of the NHLBA (Broadcasters Association) and I explained in a pre-Christmas blog that when voting, I am generally influenced by a team’s level of improvement from the previous season.
I know it’s easy to cast a ballot or have an opinion when one’s vote doesn’t really count. I do it every year for all the other awards. I have learned it isn’t so easy when I have a vote that matters and that there is a true feeling of finality when I lick the ballot envelope and press the flap closed. I take the responsibility of voting seriously, which is the least I can do for a fraternity whose members work extraordinarily hard to deliver the universal expectation – wins.
With “improvement” as one of my standards I continue to define the term. Improvement relative to what? Yes, to the previous season but it can also be improvement from a previous coach. Case in point - Bruce Boudreau in Washington. But what if the team was good all along and simply underachieved for the previous coach. How much credit does the new guy get?
What if a team improves with a roster that has dramatically changed from the season before? How much credit goes to the GM? Flyers GM, Paul Holmgren is executive-of-the-year by 10 miles. How much weight does this carry when assessing the job John Stevens is doing?
As I continue to define and refine my list of top candidates, here’s a look at my top 10 for now:
1.Mike Babcock – Detroit
2.John Stevens – Philadelphia
3.Guy Carbonneau – Montreal
4.Bruce Boudreau – Washington
5.Wayne Gretzky – Phoenix
6.Claude Julien - Boston
7.Brent Sutter – New Jersey
8.Dave Tippett – Dallas
9.Jacques Lemaire - Minnesota
10.Joel Quenneville - Colorado
Join the Discussion:
»