Overview
- NHL named Jon Cooper, Dan Muse and Lindy Ruff as Jack Adams Award finalists on Friday, with the coach of the year honor voted on by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association and the winner to be revealed near the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- Lindy Ruff led Buffalo to a 50-23-9 record, the Atlantic Division title and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2010-11, becoming a five-time finalist after winning the award in 2005-06.
- Betting indicators reflect Ruff as the current favorite, with Kalshi pricing his chances near 89%, though official voting results will not be disclosed until the postseason winds down.
- Jon Cooper guided Tampa Bay to 50-26-6 and a ninth straight playoff berth, became the second-fastest coach to reach 600 wins and is a three-time finalist who has yet to win the award.
- Rookie head coach Dan Muse took Pittsburgh to 41-25-16 and 98 points for its first playoff trip since 2021-22, tying club marks for first-year coaching wins and points while managing a league-high 44 players.