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Cooper, Muse, Ruff named finalists for NHL’s coach of the year award

Cooper, Muse, Ruff named finalists for NHL's coach of the year award | iNFOnews.ca
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

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.

A five-time Jack Adams finalist, he won the award with the Sabres in 2006.

Cooper is a three-time finalist seeking his first win. Muse is aiming to be the first rookie coach to capture the honour since Patrick Roy with the Colorado Avalanche in 2013-14.


This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2026.

Cooper, Muse, Ruff named finalists for NHL's coach of the year award | iNFOnews.ca
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse gives instructions during the third period of Game 5 in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers in Pittsburgh, Monday, April 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cooper, Muse, Ruff named finalists for NHL's coach of the year award | iNFOnews.ca
Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff reacts during the third period in Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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