Even though the Stanley Cup Playoffs are ongoing, it is award season. So far the league has come out with the Selke Trophy, Calder Trophy nominees. and Norris Trophy . Up next is the Jack Adams Award nominees for the 2023 NHL Season.
Jack Adams Award Nominees
The Jack Adams Award goes for the league’s top coach for the season. This often goes to a coach that does a great job coaching a team that didn’t have many expectations going into the season. However, the Boston Bruins had a regular season to remember and Jim Montgomery is among the list of nominees. The other two nominees are Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken and Lindy Ruff of the New Jersey Devils along with Montgomery.
Dave Hakstol (@SeattleKraken), Jim Montgomery (@NHLBruins) and Lindy Ruff (@NJDevils) are the three finalists for the 2022-23 Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success.” #NHLAwards #NHLStats: https://t.co/lDI1SjUgv1 pic.twitter.com/Gj46R1eMAR
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 5, 2023
Jim Montgomery
Boston had an unceremonious end to their season, but there’s no denying its great regular season. Montgomery returned to the bench with an aging core and lowered expectations. However, the Bruins set the regular season record for wins with 65 and won the President’s Trophy. The Bruins’ season may have ended prematurely in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Boston was a great regular season team and did plenty of great things.
Dave Hakstol
The former Philadelphia Flyers coach did a great job working a roster into a team that reached the second round. Seattle was able to tailor its style of play and get contributions from everyone in the lineup. There weren’t a lot of expectations for the Kraken after missing the post-season in the inaugural season. However, Seattle’s roster took shape and Hakstol helped guide them to its first-ever playoff berth. The Kraken have made the most of it by knocking out the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Lindy Ruff
There were questions on if Ruff was the right man to lead the young Devils. However, Ruff silenced his doubters by helping New Jersey make the post-season for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Talented players like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier took the next steps in becoming the cornerstones of the Devils roster. Akira Schmid might have become the goalie of the future and this team is set up for future success.
All voting is based on the regular season results.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
