Jack Adams Award finalists: Jon Cooper, Dan Muse, Lindy Ruff

Field Level Media|published: Fri 1st May, 12:57 2026

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders

Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff coaches against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay's Jon Cooper, Pittsburgh's Dan Muse and Buffalo's Lindy Ruff are the three finalists for the 2026 Jack Adams Award, the league announced Friday.

The award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the NHL as voted on by the National Broadcasters' Association, will be announced at a later date.

Cooper, 58, guided the Lightning to a 50-26-6 record this season and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Cooper has been a finalist for this award on two occasions (2013-14, 2018-19) -- however he has yet to win it.

Muse, 43, succeeded in his first season as head coach of the Penguins, leading the club to a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins posted a 41-25-16 record (98 points), which represented an 18-point increase from the previous season.

Ruff, 66, helped the Sabres halt a 14-year playoff drought by guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division with a 50-23-9 record. He previously won the Jack Adams Award in 2005-06, during his first stint with the Sabres.

Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals won the award last season.

--Field Level Media

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