I’m biased, but Bruno should win it. He’s the only one not named Rick and that’s an unfair advantage. Also, Tocchet had the benefit of way more talent with Demko’s amazing goaltending. Jets were largely carried by Hellebuck all season. Bruno took a team adjusting to a new system, led them to one of the best point streaks in NHL history and did it with a lesser roster that had Saros struggling and playing below average this season.
G14mogs
I have a feeling that Andrew Brunette is going to have a long and fruitful career as this team’s head coach.
KidCamarillo
Against two Canadian teams. Lol
99titan
Where’s Knoblauch? I would choose him over Bowness.
GMBarryTrotz
The dig on the coach of the year award is that it doesn’t go to the best coach, but the most improved coach. Which is why so many of the previous winners Gallant (2018), Trotz (2019), Cassidy (2020), and Suter (22) were all fired within 2 years of winning it. It sets expectations super high for the next season which usually cannot be maintained. The only coach who HAS recently won the Jack Adams and wasn’t fired quickly after is Brind’Amour, who I think could retire in Carolina if he wanted to.
All that said, I think Bruno deserves it. His style is super modern and so much fun to watch. He’s done a great job of bringing the most out of these players, including giving guys like Nyquist career point highs so late in their career.
The only downside I’ve seen so far is that he’s barely integrated any younger players into the team. It seems like you have to have at least 5 years of pro experience to be able to hang. Maybe that’s just a mismatch between what Poile was drafting and the direction this team is heading, but I would love to see more of a focus on development into the system.
5 Comments
I’m biased, but Bruno should win it. He’s the only one not named Rick and that’s an unfair advantage. Also, Tocchet had the benefit of way more talent with Demko’s amazing goaltending. Jets were largely carried by Hellebuck all season. Bruno took a team adjusting to a new system, led them to one of the best point streaks in NHL history and did it with a lesser roster that had Saros struggling and playing below average this season.
I have a feeling that Andrew Brunette is going to have a long and fruitful career as this team’s head coach.
Against two Canadian teams. Lol
Where’s Knoblauch? I would choose him over Bowness.
The dig on the coach of the year award is that it doesn’t go to the best coach, but the most improved coach. Which is why so many of the previous winners Gallant (2018), Trotz (2019), Cassidy (2020), and Suter (22) were all fired within 2 years of winning it. It sets expectations super high for the next season which usually cannot be maintained. The only coach who HAS recently won the Jack Adams and wasn’t fired quickly after is Brind’Amour, who I think could retire in Carolina if he wanted to.
All that said, I think Bruno deserves it. His style is super modern and so much fun to watch. He’s done a great job of bringing the most out of these players, including giving guys like Nyquist career point highs so late in their career.
The only downside I’ve seen so far is that he’s barely integrated any younger players into the team. It seems like you have to have at least 5 years of pro experience to be able to hang. Maybe that’s just a mismatch between what Poile was drafting and the direction this team is heading, but I would love to see more of a focus on development into the system.