The Best NHL Coaches of the Past Two Decades (part 3)

6. Ken Hitchcock

All-Time Record: 557-357-88-77

Playoff Record: 66-55, Stanley Cup Champion 1999, Conference Champion 2000

It is surprising that Ken Hitchcock, who led the Stars to back-to-back finals appearances and win the Cup in 1999, hasn’t won any Jack Adams Award. He then spent three successful seasons in Philly, winning 130 games. After that, he spent time with the Blue Jackets, taking the franchise to its first playoff appearance.

In Columbus, he oversaw Rick Nash’s development but then was fired just four months after Nash signed an eight-year extened contract.

7. Barry Trotz

Awards: None

All-Time Record: 487-415-60-75

Playoff Record: 14-26

It’s quite hard to build a team from nothing, but Barry Trotz, who has led the Predators from purely mediocre to potential Cup contenders, could do it so well.

While Ryan Suter, Pekka Rinne, and Shea Weber make the team pretty scary currently, Trotz dealt with negligible talent and less money for several years. The Predators are not a team that attracts big names and pays huge sums for stars.

But Nashville could get relevant much earlier than it could have thanks to Trotz. His first winning season in 2003-04 was also the team’s first playoff appearance. Scott Walker – his best player that year – led the team finish with just 67 points.

The Predators have steadily improved since then. They have had winning seasons every year and have missed the playoffs only once.

Trotz was named a finalist for the Jack Adams in 2010 but he hasn’t taken home the trophy.

8. Joel Quenneville

Awards: 2000 Jack Adams Award

All-Time Record: 608-373-77-76

Playoff Record: 70-63, 2010 Stanley Cup Champion

Quenneville has coached three teams and succeeded with all of them.

Starting with the Blues in 1996, he stayed with them until the 2003-04 season, making the playoffs every year. Three years later, he spent with the Colorado, all with winning records, before taking the movement in Chicago.