#NHLrank: Which coach is going to have the best season?

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Monday, November 2, 2015

Whether the best or worst coach in hockey, you still have to work with the players on your bench. Here is how our panel expects all 30 NHL coaches to perform this season:

1. Jon Cooper, Tampa Bay Lightning

Fourth season in Tampa Bay

Last season: Second in Atlantic Division

2. Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers

Third season in New York

Last season: First in Metro Division

3. Joel Quenneville, Chicago Blackhawks

Eighth season in Chicago

Last season: Third in Central Division

4. Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals

Second season in Washington

Last season: Second in Metro Division

5. Bruce Boudreau, Anaheim Ducks

Fifth season in Anaheim

Last season: First in Pacific Division

6. Michel Therrien, Montreal Canadiens

Fourth season in Montreal

Last season: First in Atlantic Division

7. Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues

Fifth season in St. Louis

Last season: First in Central Division

8. Mike Yeo, Minnesota Wild

Fifth season in Minnesota

Last season: Fourth in Central Division

9. Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings

First season in Detroit

Last season: Third in Atlantic Division

10. Bob Hartley, Calgary Flames

Fifth season in Calgary

Last season: Third in Pacific Division

11. Peter Laviolette, Nashville Predators

Second season in Nashville

Last season: Second in Central Division

12. Darryl Sutter, Los Angeles Kings

Fifth season in Los Angeles

Last season: Fourth in Pacific Division

13. Peter DeBoer, San Jose Sharks

First season in San Jose

Last season: Fifth in Pacific Division

14. Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars

Third season in Dallas

Last season: Sixth in Central Division

15. Jack Capuano, New York Islanders

Sixth season in New York

Last season: Third in Metro Division

16. Paul Maurice, Winnipeg Jets

Third season in Winnipeg

Last season: Fifth in Central Division

17. Mike Johnston, Pittsburgh Penguins

Second season in Pittsburgh

Last season: Fourth in Metro Division

18. Dave Cameron, Ottawa Senators

Second season in Ottawa

Last season: Fourth in Atlantic Division

19. Gerard Gallant, Florida Panthers

Second season in Florida

Last season: Sixth in Atlantic Division

20. Todd McLellan, Edmonton Oilers

First season in Edmonton

Last season: Sixth in Pacific Division

21. Dan Bylsma, Buffalo Sabres

First season in Buffalo

Last season: Eighth in Atlantic Division

22. Dave Tippett, Arizona Coyotes

Seventh season in Arizona

Last season: Seventh in Pacific Division

23. Willie Desjardins, Vancouver Canucks

Second season in Vancouver

Last season: Second in Pacific Division

24. Patrick Roy, Colorado Avalanche

Third season in Colorado

Last season: Seventh in Central Division

25. Claude Julien, Boston Bruins

Ninth season in Boston

Last season: Fifth in Atlantic Division

26. Mike Babcock, Toronto Maple Leafs

First season in Toronto

Last season: Seventh in Atlantic Division

27. John Tortorella*, Columbus Blue Jackets

First season in Columbus

Last season: Fifth in Metro Division

28. Dave Hakstol,Philadelphia Flyers

First season in Philadelphia

Last season: Sixth in Metro Division

29. John Hynes, New Jersey Devils

First season in New Jersey

Last season: Seventh in Metro Division

30. Bill Peters, Carolina Hurricanes

Second season in Carolina

Last season: Eighth in Metro Division

* - Voting done when Todd Richards was head coach

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