Predators coach Andrew Brunette is one of three finalists for the NHL's Jack Adams Award, given to the head coach who has “most contributed to the success of his team.”
The Brunettes will face Vancouver's Rick Tocchet, one of the other finalists, on Friday when the teams meet in Game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series at Bridgestone Arena (6 p.m. CT). Compete against.
The third finalist was Rick Bowness, whose Winnipeg Jets lost to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs.
Members of the NHL Broadcasting Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the end of the regular season, and the top three were selected as finalists.
Brunette was hired by then-new general manager Barry Trotz to replace John Hynes as the organization's coach last May.
In his first season, Brunette led the Predators to a 47-30-5 record and 99 points, good enough for fourth place in the Central Division and a postseason wild card spot. Nashville moved on from several veterans during the 2023 season, parting ways with both Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene in the offseason, replacing them with veterans Ryan O'Reilly, Gustav Nyquist, and Luke Schenn. Appointed.
The brunette is a Jack Adams finalist for the second time. in as many seasons as an NHL head coach., following a runner-up finish against Florida in the 2021-22 season. He served as the Panthers' interim coach that season, leading the Panthers to a 51-18-6 record, but the full-time position was taken over by Paul Maurice. From 2022 to 2023, Brunette served as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.
“Last time it didn’t go so well.” The brunette joked with the media Friday. “I think I lost my job after a while. I don't know what to make of it anymore.”
Only two other players off the bench in the NHL were finalists in each of their first two seasons: Calgary's Terry Crisp (second in 1987-88, third in 1988-89) and Ottawa's Paul McClain (third place in 2011-12, first place in 2012). 13).
Brunette is the third Jack Adams in Predators history, joining Barry Trotz (second in 2009-10, third in 2010-11) and Peter Laviolette (third in 2014-15). He is a finalist.
