The Best NHL Coaches of the Past Two Decades (part 1)

Posted by | On 16 August,2020 | In NHL coaches

Here are the best NHL coaches of the past two decades, based on a combination of overall effectiveness, success, and awards.

1. Scotty Bowman

Awards: Jack Adams Awards in 1976-77 and 1995-96

Playoff Record: 223-130 (109-58), Stanley Cup Champion 1973, 1975-79, 1992, 1997-98, 2002

All-Time Record: 1,244-573-314-10

Having finished his career at 671 wins, more than any other coach in the history of the NHL, Scotty Bowman had an extraordinary coaching career with some highlights:

– The 1991-92 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

– The 1995-96 Jack Adams Award with the Detroit Red Wings.

– Back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1996-97 and 97-98.

– The 2001-02 Stanley Cup with the Wings.

Those highlights don’t include his first 19 coaching seasons, when he won five Cups with the Canadians, including four in a row.

2. Pat Burns

Awards: Jack Adams Awards in 1988-89, 1992-93 and 1997-98

Playoff Record: 57-44, 2003 Stanley Cup Champion

All-Time Record: 501-353-151-14

Pat Burns coached four teams, and in his first year with each team, he won either the Jack Adams or a Cup. His coaching career is so impressive.

In his first year as a head coach, he led the Canadians to the Stanley Cup Finals, which helps him win the Jack Adams Award.

In the 1992-93 season, he coached the Maple Leafs to win the Jack Adams Award. In his first year with the Bruins (1997), he won the Jack Adams once again.

After having coached Boston into the new millennium, he eventually became head coach of the New Jersey Devils for the 2002-03 season and won his first and only Stanley Cup.

3. Jacques Lemaire

Awards: Jack Adams Awards in 1993-94, 2002-03

Playoff Record: 61-56, 1995 Stanley Cup Champion

All-Time Record: 617-458-124-63

Jacques Lemaire became head coach of the New Jersey Devils for the 1993-94 season and took home the Jack Adams Award. The next season, he coached the squad to a Stanley Cup.

In 2000-01 season, Lemaire became the first coach of Minnesota Wild. In their third season, he led the team to make the playoffs and upset their way to the conference finals without any quality players besides Marian Gaborik.