Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper reacts from the bench during third period NHL playoff hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal on Sunday, April 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Cooper, Muse, Ruff named finalists for NHL’s coach of the year award
May 1, 2026 | 10:34 AM
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NEW YORK — Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres are the finalists for the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award, given annually to the NHL’s coach of the year.
Cooper led Tampa Bay to its ninth consecutive playoff berth and became the second-fastest coach in league history to reach 600 career wins.
Muse guided Pittsburgh to a second-place Metropolitan Division finish and its first playoff appearance since 2021-22 in his rookie campaign while managing an NHL-high 44 players throughout the schedule.
Ruff helped Buffalo to its first post-season berth since 2010-11 and first division title since 2009-10.
