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Ruff, Cooper, Muse Named Jack Adams Finalists

5/2/2026

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Summary

Ruff Adams Finalists

The NHL announced Lindy Ruff, Jon Cooper and Dan Muse as the 2025-26 Jack Adams finalists on May 1, 2026.
Ruff, whom Kalshi rates with an 89 % chance of winning, led Buffalo to 109 points, earning his fifth nomination and tying the record for most nominations.
Cooper guided Tampa Bay to 106 points and a ninth playoff berth.
Muse led Pittsburgh to 98 points and its first playoff berth since 2021-22.

Summary

Ruff Balances Care

Coach Ruff mixes firm expectations with personal support, keeping the Sabres on notice about standards, according to alternate captain Mattias Samuelsson.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin said Ruff allowed him to attend his fiancée’s heart-transplant recovery, showing the coach’s care for players’ families.
Ruff emphasized the Sabres’ reliance on mobile defensemen, a strategy that produced a league-tied second-place finish with 55 defense-scored goals.

History

Historical Context

Lindy Ruff, who earned the Jack Adams Award after edging Peter Laviolette by a single point, appears again on the 2025-26 shortlist. Since its start, the award has highlighted innovative coaching—five coaches have won it twice and Pat Burns remains the only three-time winner, while John Tortorella captured it in 2004. The trend underscores growing reliance on analytics in hiring decisions.

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Ruff Adams Finalists

The NHL announced Lindy Ruff, Jon Cooper and Dan Muse as the 2025-26 Jack Adams finalists on May 1, 2026.
Ruff, whom Kalshi rates with an 89 % chance of winning, led Buffalo to 109 points, earning his fifth nomination and tying the record for most nominations.
Cooper guided Tampa Bay to 106 points and a ninth playoff berth.
Muse led Pittsburgh to 98 points and its first playoff berth since 2021-22.

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