Todd Cordell
I'm going to go with Paul Maurice.
I know the Winnipeg Jets play in a very tough division but they have a solid roster and seem like a good bet to bounce back. There was already a lot of talent up front and Patrik Laine, who seems ready to contribute immediately, will make them even better. There is some high-end talent on defense, too, and I'm really high on Connor Hellebuyck. If the Jets give him the keys instead of Ondrej Pavelec I could see them grabbing a playoff spot this season, which would make Maurice a serious candidate for the Jack Adams.
James Tanner The Jack Adams is the worst of the awards. The reason isn't because we don't care about coaching, but it's not exactly the skill that is represented best visually.
How do you even tell if someone is doing a good job coaching? Add in that most statisticians have said that the best coach is only worth 2 or 3 wins over the entire season, while the worst coach will cost you the same.
3 wins is very significant, but it doesn't seem like much is all I'm saying, and the range between best and worst is tiny, making judgement all the more difficult.
All this means that, at the end of the season, the coach with the worst viewed pre-season team who finishes the highest is the generally the Jack Adams winner.
That being said, my pick has got to be Mike Babcock because the Leafs will be entering the season with the top 3 Calder candidates, and frankly the best 30th place roster anyone's ever seen. They will surprise everyone, make the Playoffs and Babcock will win the coach of the year.
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