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7. Edmonton
Dallas Eakins, Keith Acton, Steve Smith, Kelly Buchberger and Frederic Chabot

This one will be an interesting season behind the Oilers bench. Dallas Eakins is, in a lot of people minds, the blue chip prospect in the coaching world. But, he's also the new kid on the block in a division with a lot of very good coaches. The biggest thing that I think will hurt Eakins this season is the lack of not having a guy on his staff who has served as an NHL head coach. Eakins could be Dan Bylsma or he could be Scott Arniel.


6. Calgary
Bob Hartley, Jacques Cloutier, Martin Gelinas and Clint Malarchuk

It was a long time ago, but during his time with the Avs he went to the final four, four times and brought home one Cup. While he's struggled since his days in Denver, Hartley's best attribute last season was at least making the Flames fun to watch. His assistants don't have the resumes that some of the other assistants in the division have, so it will be interesting to see if this is the starting point for a guy like Gelinas or just a cup of coffee.


5. Anaheim
Bruce Boudreau, Bob Woods, Brad Lauer, Scott Niedermayer and Dwayne Roloson

When Boudreau was let go by the Caps, it sure didn't take long for the 2008 Jack Adams winner to find work. Under Boudreau, the Duck held off the Kings to win the old Pacific Division crown last year. Along with Boudreau, the Ducks have a guy in Bob Woods, who is near the top of my personal "coaches to watch" list. And lastly, having two NHL veterans in Niedermayer and Roloson around can't hurt.


4. Phoenix
Dave Tippett, Jim Playfair, Newell Brown, Sean Burke

Two words: Dave Tippett. The man can turn water into wine and is largely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL. He, by himself, is likely the best coach in the division, but his assistants coaches lack behind the other team's assistants and that is why I have them at No. 4.


3. Vancouver
John Tortorella, Mike Sullivan, Glen Gulutzan and Roland Melanson

The most unpredictable coaching staff in the division really could go any way. Tortorella won a Cup in '04 and had some moderate success in New York. The players in New York, for the most part, loved playing for the guy and I think you'll see the same thing in Vancouver with the team having as Torts put it "more bite". Add in a guy like Gulutzan, who was a pretty good coach in Dallas and I think Vancouver will be better this season.


2. San Jose
Todd McLellan, Larry Robinson, Jim Johnson, Jay Woodcroft and Corey Schwab

He learned under Mike Babcock in Detroit and now he has maybe the most over-qualified assistant in Larry Robinson working with him. While he has yet to win the big one as a head coach, McLellan, has the highest winning percentage of any active coach. The combination of McLellan and Robinson has them at No. 2 on the list.


1. Los Angeles
Darryl Sutter, John Stevens, Davis Payne and Bill Ranford

Top to bottom the Kings staff is loaded with guys who can coach. Sutter is tough coach, who generally has a shelf life, but that shelf life generally has success with it. His assistants Stevens and Payne are likely better coaches than a few NHL head coaches. And in net, Ranford knows how to get a goalie ready. Honestly, this staff is almost like the "dream team" of NHL coaches.


How would you rank the Pacific Division coaching staffs?


Final overall rank

T6. Calgary
T6. Edmonton
5. Phoenix
4. Anaheim
T2. Vancouver
T2. San Jose
1. Los Angeles





Until tomorrow my friends, stay classy

Ian

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