The Jack Adams Award is an annual award presented by the
National Hockey League Broadcasters' Association to the NHL coach adjudged to
have contributed the most to his team's success. It gives the coach credit when teams that were not expected to perform well exceed expectations.
![]() |
Jack Adams Trophy |
The Adams is not an easy one to win. It's tough to objectively measure just how
much of an impact a coach has on his team's success beyond anecdotal evidence.
There really aren’t coaching metrics. A coach may be a brilliant strategist but
if he can’t get his team to execute what good is it? Another coach may be a
gifted motivator but if he can’t convey the X’s and O’s, the results may be negligible.
A coach is considered
for the Jack Adams because he made the difference in his team’s success. it acknowledges his
influence, his leadership, his knowledge of the game, his ability to unite a
team behind his plan….to make them believe to the point that they buy in to his
vision.
Last season’s winner, Patrick Roy, is a classic example of a
coach deserving of the honor. In his rookie coaching season, he took the
Avalanche from a previous season finish in 29th place to a 3rd place overall
finish.
From the bottom 3 to the top 3 over the course of a single
season.
The Avalanche matched a franchise record for wins, recorded
the NHL's best road mark (26-11-4), ranked fourth in the League in goals (250)
and did not suffer a regulation loss when leading after two periods (35-0-3).
In his acceptance speech, Roy said, "There's no way a
coach can win this award without a total commitment from his players.” I think
that pretty much defines what it takes to be the coach of the year. A man so
influential and inspirational that he commands a total commitment from his
players.
My original top 3 candidates for the Adams did not include
Alain Vigneault. Granted, the New York Rangers have flourished under his
command but I didn’t see him as the clear difference-maker.
Unlike Roy when he joined Denver, Vigneault wasn’t charged with pulling a team up from the league’s basement. He was returning having coached the 2014 eastern conference champs.
Unlike Roy when he joined Denver, Vigneault wasn’t charged with pulling a team up from the league’s basement. He was returning having coached the 2014 eastern conference champs.
Last Season’s playoff run for the Rangers was a gritty
battle to the end. This season, they have fought through the type of adversity
that comes from withstanding injuries and personnel changes that plagued their
early season.
Since December,
however, there has really been no better team in the league. And, more
impressive is the fact that, in the process, they lost their starting
goaltender to injury and still kept winning. Remaining in contention while Lundqvist was out is a solid achievement. It is Vineault’s ability to
adjust and weather the early storm that has his team the first to secure a playoff spot.
Everything we knew about the Rangers heading into the season
suggested they would take a step back. Now, they hold the
Presidents' Trophy and look like a good bet to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Just because they were in the Cup Final last year, doesn't mean Vigneault had
an easier job this season. He's done some fantastic things with this roster.
Unlike Alain Vigneault, Jack Capuano’s job seemed tenuous at
best at the end of last season. The Islanders made the playoffs but
inconsistent goal tending and injuries to John Tavaris doomed them to early
dismissal.
In the off-season, GM Garth Snow shored them up in the net by
signing Halak and retaining backup Chad Johnson. Then, he did Capuano a huge
favor at the start of the season when he acquired Johnny Boychuk and Nick
Leddy. Instant defense! He gave Capuano the talent they needed on the ice, but it
was up to him to fish or cut bait, as it were.
Turns out Capuano is a fisherman! The Isles rose to the
upper level of the Metro and have not wavered.
Capuano knew he had a team that was capable of playing with
the best teams in the Eastern Conference. He made that known to his players. NYI, led by the talented and skilled John Tavares, they have been at or near the
top of the East all season.
If Laviolette hadn't had such an off-the-charts season with the Preds, Capuano would be in the driver’s seat for the award right now.
*All stats per NHL.com and accurate at time of writing.
If Laviolette hadn't had such an off-the-charts season with the Preds, Capuano would be in the driver’s seat for the award right now.
In 2013, Peter Laviolette took the fall in Philly for the
team’s poor performance out of the gate. Ed Snider dismissed him after an 0-3
start. The organization felt they had made the player changes necessary to be a
winning team therefore…..it must be the coach.
By
May of 2014, Laviolette replaced Barry Trotz to become only the second coach in
Nashville Preditors’ history. He brought with him his renowned fiery temper and preference for intense play. What Pens fan will ever forget the time he and Tony Granato nearly came to blows behind the benches? This season, Laviolette came close to being ejected during a Dec. 29 game at the Chicago Blackhawks, in which he accused referee Kevin Pollock of … "winking" at the Blackhawks bench.
That's what you get with Laviolette; fiery passion.
Laviolette
has instilled the intensity and urgency necessary to help veteran players like
Shea Weber thrive and young players like Seth Jones reach their potential. He
has transformed the Predators into an up-tempo, high-octane attack.
Laviolette’s offensive-minded philosophy has been successful in Nashville as they rank among the league leaders in goals, shots and sit at the top of the Central Division. Even when Vezina contending goal tender Pekka Rinne was out with a knee injury, the Predators held steady to maintain their place at the top of their division.
Laviolette’s offensive-minded philosophy has been successful in Nashville as they rank among the league leaders in goals, shots and sit at the top of the Central Division. Even when Vezina contending goal tender Pekka Rinne was out with a knee injury, the Predators held steady to maintain their place at the top of their division.
Individual players are flourishing under Laviolette,
including Calder Trophy candidate Filip Forsberg (26 goals, 63 points) and
reclamation project Mike Ribeiro (15 goals, 62 points). Colin Wilson has
already set career highs in goals, assists and points to go with a plus-22
rating (20g 22a 42pts)
Including
his Stanley Cup win in 2006 with Carolina, Laviolette has made six postseason
appearances and was the Jack Adams runner-up in 2006. I believe, this year he should, at least, walk away with the jack Adams.*All stats per NHL.com and accurate at time of writing.
No comments:
Post a Comment