New Jersey Devils’ head coach Lindy Ruff has been nominated for the Jack Adams Award, which is awarded annually to the NHL coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success.” This is Ruff’s fourth nomination for the award, having previously been a finalist three times.

Ruff’s Impressive Career in the NHL

Ruff has had an impressive career in the NHL, having coached for over two decades. He currently ranks fifth in NHL history for games coached, with 1,713 games, and fifth in NHL history for wins, with 834. Ruff won the Jack Adams Award in the 2005-2006 season when he coached the Buffalo Sabres. He was also a finalist in the following year, and he finished third in the 2015-2016 season when he coached the Dallas Stars.

The New Jersey Devils’ Season under Ruff’s Coaching

Ruff’s nomination for the Jack Adams Award comes as a result of his impressive coaching performance with the New Jersey Devils during the 2020-2021 season. Despite the team finishing at the bottom of the East Division, Ruff was able to get the most out of his players and lead them to several impressive victories. This included a six-game win streak in the month of March that showed the team’s potential under Ruff’s guidance.

Ruff’s Impact on the Devils’ Young Players

One area where Ruff has had a significant impact is in the development of the young players on the Devils’ roster. Ruff has shown a willingness to give these players opportunities to play and gain experience, which has helped them develop their skills and confidence. This includes players like Yegor Sharangovich, who scored the game-winning goal in the Devils’ upset victory over the Boston Bruins in March, and Ty Smith, who was one of the team’s most impressive rookies during the season.

The Devils’ Future under Ruff’s Coaching

Ruff’s nomination for the Jack Adams Award is a testament to his coaching abilities, and it bodes well for the future of the New Jersey Devils. With Ruff at the helm, the team is poised to continue improving and developing its young talent. While the team may have struggled during the 2020-2021 season, Ruff’s nomination shows that there is reason to be optimistic about the team’s future.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are Dave Hakstol, Jim Montgomery, and Lindy Ruff?

  Dave Hakstol is a professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jim Montgomery is also a professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach of the St. Louis Blues of the NHL. Lindy Ruff is a former professional ice hockey player and coach. He is currently the head coach of the New Jersey Devils of the NHL.

• What is the Jack Adams Award?

  The Jack Adams Award is an annual award presented to the head coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success” in the National Hockey League (NHL) as voted on by the National Association of Broadcasters. It was first awarded in 1974 and is named in honor of Jack Adams, former head coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.

• What are the achievements of the three finalists for the 2023 Jack Adams Award?

  Dave Hakstol led the Seattle Kraken to their first playoff berth in their second NHL season, with a 19-win and 40-point improvement from their inaugural season. Jim Montgomery guided the Boston Bruins to the most wins (65) and points (135) in a single season in NHL history and won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the regular season. Lindy Ruff led the New Jersey Devils to their most wins and points in a season, with a 25-win and 49-point improvement from the previous season, and a third-place finish in the NHL standings.

• Who are the previous winners of the Jack Adams Award?

  Some of the previous winners of the Jack Adams Award include Barry Trotz, Gerard Gallant, Bob Hartley, Joel Quenneville, and Pat Burns. The full list of winners can be found on the NHL’s official website.