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