Introduction
Selecting the NHL’s Coach of the Year is a fascinating challenge that raises several questions: Should the award go to the coach of the most successful team? What about teams that show marked improvement year-over-year? Or should a coach’s tenure with a star-studded roster be considered in the judgment? The Jack Adams Award, presented by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association, recognizes the coach deemed to have made the most significant contribution to their team’s performance.
Recent Winners
Last season, Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals took home the accolade after his squad improved by 20 points. Meanwhile, Jim Montgomery was the last coach to win the award while also overseeing a team that secured the Presidents’ Trophy, having led the Boston Bruins to an impressive 135-point season with a 28-point improvement in 2022-23.
Top Candidates for the 2025-26 Season
As we evaluate the leading contenders for the Jack Adams Award during the 2025-26 NHL season, we find that only one of these five head coaches has previously won the honor. Taking a closer look, Jared Bednar, head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, is worthy of an honorable mention. Despite the high expectations surrounding a roster featuring stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Bednar’s team faces the challenge of attempting to surpass the Bruins’ points record, and such a feat could bolster his candidacy for the award.
5. Martin St-Louis, Montreal Canadiens
Under the leadership of Martin St-Louis, the Montreal Canadiens have steadily improved, becoming the youngest team in the NHL. Thanks to his guidance, the Canadiens reached the playoffs last year for the first time since 2021, showcasing their growth and competitiveness. St-Louis’s successful campaign last season made him a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, where he finished third, trailing only the Winnipeg Jets’ Scott Arniel. This year, if his team continues on the same trajectory, St-Louis could once again be in the running. Currently, the Canadiens sit third in the Atlantic Division, boasting 29 points from 24 games with a record of 13-8-3. After a promising start that had them leading the division in November, they have faced a slight downturn, placing St-Louis at fifth in the rankings.
4. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s surprising that Jon Cooper, despite leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories and two additional Eastern Conference finals appearances, has never received the Jack Adams Award. His closest encounter was in the 2018-19 season when he finished second to Barry Trotz. After a troubling start to this season, with a 1-4-2 record, doubts arose about Cooper’s future with the team. However, the narrative shifted dramatically as his Lightning regained form, now leading the Atlantic Division. Though some players, such as Brayden Point and Oliver Bjorkstrand, have underperformed, Cooper has maintained the team’s competitiveness, raising hopes that this could be the year he finally earns the recognition he deserves.
3. Marco Sturm, Boston Bruins
Expectations were tempered for the Boston Bruins ahead of this season. Following last season’s trade deadline selling spree, which included parting ways with captain Brad Marchand, many assumed the team would struggle. Yet, under the new leadership of Marco Sturm, the Bruins have remained a playoff contender, consistently positioned to vie for postseason play. Currently, the Bruins stand second in the Atlantic, boasting strong special teams performance with the fourth-best power play and seventh-best penalty kill in the league. This marks Sturm’s first season as a head coach after a seven-year stint with the Kings’ organization as an assistant and AHL coach.
2. Dan Muse, Pittsburgh Penguins
Dan Muse has impressed many with what he has achieved with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, contrary to widespread expectations that the team would falter. When Muse took the reins, the Penguins were largely dismissed as a lottery team. However, with Muse at the helm, the team has turned around its fortunes, currently holding a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as the first wild-card team and ranked ninth in the NHL. Having previously coached at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and served as an assistant for the National Predators and New York Rangers, Muse’s rookie season is proving to be remarkably successful.
1. Joel Quenneville, Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks have not made a Stanley Cup playoff appearance in seven seasons, but their fortunes could be changing under veteran coach Joel Quenneville, who returned to the NHL in 2024. Last season, the Ducks struggled, finishing 25th in the league, yet they have surged to the top of the Pacific Division and fifth in the overall standings this season. With an impressive scoring average of 3.62 goals per game, only the Avalanche surpass them in offensive output. While the success may be partially attributed to breakout performances from players like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, Quenneville’s coaching—a three-time Stanley Cup winner and past Jack Adams winner—has been instrumental in guiding this developing team.
Conclusion
As we follow the unfolding season, the competition for the Jack Adams Award is heating up, and several coaching stories deserve attention as they unfold. For further insights and updates, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter.
