Jack Adams Award Finalists Announced
The Jack Adams Award is given to the coach “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” Many coaches could have been a finalist, but these three have had the most impact on their team. The finalists are Joel Quenneville of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bruce Boudreau of the Anaheim Ducks, and Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators.
Apr 6, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville watches his team play against the Nashville Predators during the third first at Bridgestone Arena. The Blackhawks beat the Predators 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Joel Quenneville seems to be the favorite to win, since his team had an amazing run at the start of the season. They broke a record for consecutive games at the start of the season by getting at least a point a game in 24 games. Their record was 21-0-3. That put a jumpstart to their season for sure, but that wasn’t their only record. Quenneville paired two goaltenders who played so well, they were both considered to be starters. Ray Emery was the first goaltender in the NHL to go 10-0-0 in his first 10 games. They also won the Presidents’ Trophy earning them home ice advantage throughout the entirety of the playoffs. There is no question that Quenneville is a major part of this, and he played one hell of a hand with the players he had.
Mar 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau reacts during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Anaheim won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Bruce Boudreau led the Ducks to a season record of 30-12-6, which landed him safely behind the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2nd spot of the Western Conference. Boudreau, who joined the Ducks’ team mid-way through the season last year, has boosted his players t0 win more games. During the playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the 7th seeded Red Wings, they played three games where they came back and tied the game in the third period after being down by three or more goals. Two of those three games ended in an OT loss, but their push in the third period proved to be fatal to the Red Wings, and many regular season opponents. This is thanks to Boudreau, and he is a great choice for the Jack Adams Award.
Feb 16, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Ottawa Senators head coach Paul MacLean motions from the bench during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Paul MacLean, or as many of you know him as, the bug-eyed fat walrus, is the third finalist for this award. He led the Ottawa Senators to the 7th seed of the playoffs, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. He had major issues to face, especially with injuries to stars Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. With Karlsson’s injury, it was almost certain that he would be out until next season. In the first round of the playoffs, he made a comeback, and now Spezza is looking for a return hopefully soon. MacLean has also used his secret weapon in net. Craig Anderson was 6-2-2 in his first 10 games and seen as a Vezina trophy favorite early on. An injury caused in February against the New York Rangers limited him and has dropped him out of the Vezina race, but it hasn’t taken him out of the playoffs yet.
All three coaches have played their teams to the best of their ability, and it has worked very well. Other coaches I would consider is Dan Bylsma (Pittsburgh Penguins-Had a few winning streaks this season), Mike Yeo (Minnesota Wild-Used Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to sneak into the playoffs above the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets), and Adam Oates (Washington Capitals-Took a last place team to the third seed of the playoffs). It is time to vote, so who is going to win the Jack Adams Trophy?