The voting process for the Jack Adams Award, presented to NHL's top coach, has come under fire following Tampa Bay Lightning's Jon Cooper's win. Although Cooper is a strong candidate, many believe that others, such as Lindy Ruff and Dan Muse, had more compelling seasons. Only 59 out of 99 eligible broadcasters voted on the award, leading to calls for reform in who is allowed to vote. Analysts Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton have suggested that the league reconsider the voting process if such a low turnout persists. The lack of participation highlights the significance of these awards in shaping a coach's legacy.

By the Numbers
  • Jon Cooper wins the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award.
  • Only 59 out of 99 voters participated in the ballot.
Yes, But

While Cooper's win is celebrated, the failure of nearly 40% of eligible voters to participate raises questions about the integrity and significance of the award voting process.

State of Play
  • Discussion is ongoing about potential reforms to the voting system for league awards.
  • Broadcast analysts are advocating for a more engaged voting process to enhance the legitimacy of the awards.
What's Next

Expect increased scrutiny on the NHL Broadcasters Association's voting practices, with potential changes to voting eligibility to encourage full participation in future awards.

Bottom Line

The lack of engagement from broadcasters in critical award voting undermines the value of these honors, prompting necessary discussions about reform to ensure accountability and full representation.