The NHL’s coaching landscape is showing just how much difference leadership can make this season, with several coaches turning around struggling teams or pushing good ones to new heights.
In Tampa Bay, Jon Cooper is finally getting the recognition he deserves. It’s pretty amazing that a two-time Stanley Cup champ has never won Coach of the Year, but that might change. He’s kept the Lightning at the top of the Atlantic Division despite a brutal run of injuries.
The Colorado Avalanche are on fire under Jared Bednar. Sure, having superstars like Nathan MacKinnon (55 points) and Cale Makar (38 points) helps, but here’s the thing – they’re on pace for an incredible 136 points this season. That’s 24 more than last year with basically the same roster.
Joel Quenneville’s return to coaching has breathed new life into the Anaheim Ducks. Nobody saw this coming. The three-time Cup winner has their young players performing at levels that seemed years away, and they’re suddenly a real threat in the Western Conference.
The biggest surprise might be what’s happening in Boston.
Don Sturm took over a team that many thought would be fighting for draft lottery position. Instead, they’re just one point out of first place in the Atlantic. And that’s after a rough 3-6-0 start that could’ve sunk their season.
Patrick Roy has the New York Islanders looking dangerous again. While rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer (23 points) has been a game-changer on defense, it’s Roy who’s brought back that old Islanders identity – nobody wants to face them in a seven-game series.
The race for the Jack Adams Award is still wide open, and with how tight the standings are, a hot streak or slump could shake everything up. But these five coaches have separated themselves from the pack, at least for now.
