NHL 2006-07 Award: Jack Adams Award

[steg1989]

JACK ADAMS AWARD

The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually "to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success," as selected by the NHL Broadcasters' Association.

LINDY RUFF - Buffalo Sabres

· A Jack Adams finalist for the second consecutive year; captured the award in 2005-06.
· Led the Sabres to the first Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, posting a 53-22-7 record for 113 points; the Sabres were the NHL's highest-scoring team with 308 goals.
· Hired in July, 1997, Ruff holds the longest current tenure among NHL head coaches.

MICHEL THERRIEN - Pittsburgh Penguins

· A Jack Adams finalist for the first time.
· Led the Penguins to a 47-24-11 record for 105 points, a 47-point improvement over 2005-06, and earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2001.
· 47-point improvement the fourth-highest in NHL history.

ALAIN VIGNEAULT - Vancouver Canucks

· A Jack Adams finalist for the second time; finished second with Montreal in 2000.
· Led the Canucks to a franchise-record 49 victories (49-26-7, 105 points) and the Northwest Division title. Vigneault eclipsed the previous club mark of 46 set by Pat Quinn in 1992-93.
· The Canucks posted a League-best 32-8-6 record following the Dec. 24-25 schedule break.

[Isles4life]

Write-in vote: Ted Nolan.

I think Lindy, whining and good team ignored, has done a great job again. His team was ravaged by injuries and he kept them playing at an elite level.

[FightingIsGood]

Homer pick - Michel Therrien. Lindy Ruff did a good job, but the Sabres were expected to be a top team in the league. Alain Vigneault...well, he can thank Roberto Luongo for becoming a finalist, but even in his case, the Canucks were expected to be a playoff team before the season started. Find me one person who thought the Penguins would definitely be a playoff team, much less finish 5th overall in the conference. Some thought they'd maybe have an outside shot at the last playoff berth, but most thought they'd be bottom-feeders again. The job Therrien did keeping that young team focused and confident cannot be underestimated, and that's why I think he deserves the award.

[Lead]

Voted for Ruff, but would love to see Ted Nolan's name there as well.

[levelhead]

The Sabres and Canucks have the cast and neither coach really did nothing that wasn't expected -- or at least imaginable. Only a crazy person had the Penguins seeded fifth in the East in the pre-season. Special teams -- especially the PK -- is why.

[okie]

Pretty impressive turn around by Mike. He'd get my vote.

[Rbokie24]

Lindy Ruff hands down.