To mark the start of the 2022-23 common season, NHL.com is working its first installment of the Trophy Tracker collection this week. Today, we have a look at the race for the Jack Adams Award, given yearly to the top coach within the NHL as decided on in a vote by means of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
Mike Sullivan has but to win the Jack Adams Award voted as NHL coach of the yr.
A panel of 15 NHL.com writers imagine that may trade this season by means of opting for the Pittsburgh Penguins coach as the preseason favourite. Sullivan’s 30 issues (3 first-place votes) led the balloting, with Rod Brind’Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes 2nd with 25 issues (3 first-place votes), adopted by means of Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers with 19 issues (two first-place votes).
Receiving one first-place vote every had been Jared Bednar of the Colorado Avalanche, Bruce Boudreau of the Vancouver Canucks, Bruce Cassidy of the Vegas Golden Knights, John Hynes of the Nashville Predators, Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers, D.J. Smith of the Ottawa Senators, and Jay Woodcroft of the Edmonton Oilers.
Sullivan by no means has been an Adams finalist in spite of his spectacular document since changing Mike Johnston as Pittsburgh coach Dec. 12, 2015. He’s 297-156-54 in seven seasons, helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017 and has gotten them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each season of his tenure.
The group thinks so extremely of Sullivan that it agreed with him on a three-year contract Aug. 30 that begins within the 2024-25 season and runs via 2026-27.
“The problem when you talk about a coach of the year, or those type awards, when you say, ‘Well, our guy should have won,’ people take that as disrespectful,” Penguins president of hockey operations Brian Burke instructed NHL.com. “And I don’t mean it disrespectfully. This is not a commentary on other coaches who have won coach of the year, but I don’t know anyone who’s done more in seven seasons he’s been here, who has done a better job coaching, than Mike Sullivan. I think he’s been terrific, and I love working with him.”
Burke hasn’t wavered in his trust even supposing the Penguins have didn’t get previous the primary spherical of the playoffs in 4 consecutive seasons, the newest a seven-game loss to the Rangers within the Eastern Conference First Round after preserving a 3-1 lead within the best-of-7 collection.
The Penguins (46-25-11) completed 3rd within the Metropolitan Division remaining season. They’ve certified for the playoffs in 16 directly seasons, and with a roster led by means of forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang, there is sufficient for a minimum of every other Cup run.
“We have, in my mind, the best core that I’ve ever been around,” Sullivan stated when coaching camp opened Sept. 22. “These guys are driven to win. They’re hungry. You can see it in their fitness level on the ice coming off of Day One here, so I know they’re excited.
“This is a brand new season with a brand new crew. We’re going to be a forward-thinking team from right here on out.”
Hanging on the wall of Sullivan’s office is a quote from legendary Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi: “Perfection isn’t possible, but when we chase perfection, we will be able to catch excellence.” Standards of excellence remain unchanged for the Penguins. They’re expected to win, perhaps enough to compel voters to recognize how much of a role Sullivan plays in meeting or exceeding those standards.
“I really like getting at the ice with those guys each day,” Sullivan said after his contract was announced. “I really like being within the warmth of the combat, and subsequent to being a participant it may well be the following preferrred factor. It’s a part of my DNA. I really like running throughout the demanding situations that this League inevitably items.”
Voting totals (issues awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 foundation): Mike Sullivan, Penguins, 30 issues (3 first-place votes); Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes, 25 (3); Gerard Gallant, Rangers, 19 (2); John Hynes, Nashville Predators, 15 (1); Jared Bednar, Colorado Avalanche, 14 (1); Bruce Boudreau, Vancouver Canucks, 14 (1); Jay Woodcroft, Edmonton Oilers, 14 (1); D.J. Smith, Ottawa Senators, 13 (1); Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights, 13 (1); Don Granato, Buffalo Sabres, 11; Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning, 9; Paul Maurice, Florida Panthers, 8 (1); Todd McLellan, Los Angeles Kings, 7; Lane Lambert, New York Islanders, 7; Pete DeBoer, Dallas Stars, 7; Martin St. Louis, Montreal Canadiens, 7; Rick Bowness, Winnipeg Jets, 5; Derek Lalonde, Detroit Red Wings, 4; Peter Laviolette, Washington Capitals, 2; Dean Evason, Minnesota Wild, 1
NHL.com personnel author Mike G. Morreale and NHL.com unbiased correspondent Wes Crosby contributed to this record