I think we pretty much know, give or take a few names, who generally falls on the top 5 list of best coaches currently in the NHL, but I've never seen anyone talk about the best coached division. I can't really justify why it would be important, but I think it could be interesting to see peoples' lists, and more importantly, which coaches tipped the scales and why (pure results, getting the most out of a weak roster, etc.).
I don't know what to do about new coaches, so I think you have to wing it and use common sense. I likely wouldn't consider Adam Oates in the Southeast, although I might be more inclined to include Todd Richards, because he has prior head coaching experience. I limited this to head coaches originally, but if you want to look at the whole team's staff it's up to you.
Off the top of my head that's 5 cup appearances vs 6, 3 cup wins vs 3 (head coaches career). Trotz is also very very successful. Deboer needs more good seasons and Capuano needs to right the ship on the Island. Edge goes to Central.
It's not a coincidence that the answers so far are Central and Atlantic, the two divisions with the most playoff teams last year. This thread is basically "The best division in the NHL."
How do you figure? The best coach award went to a coach in the Central. You also have Barry Trotz who has been an incredible coach for years as well as Babcock. Sure, the Atlantic has strong coach's but last year was easily the Central.
Long term Central's coaches are more successful, can't argue that. But if you're taking only the precedent season in consideration Atlantic has had better playoffs than Central.
Also
Regular season's Central division amount of points : 481 pts
Regular season's Atlantic division amount of points : 501 pts
Long term Central's coaches are more successful, can't argue that. But if you're taking only the precedent season in consideration Atlantic has had better playoffs than Central.
Also
Regular season's Central division amount of points : 481 pts
Regular season's Atlantic division amount of points : 501 pts
End of story
I edited my first post, I think last season the Atlantic was better, but overall the Central is better.
How do you figure? The best coach award went to a coach in the Central. You also have Barry Trotz who has been an incredible coach for years as well as Babcock. Sure, the Atlantic has strong coach's but last year was easily the Central.
1. One Atlantic team went to the Stanley Cup Final.
2. ECF were 100% Atlantic teams. Central teams representation in WCF: 0
3. There were 3 atlantic teams in the ECsemiF, 2 Central in WCsemiF
4. Read post above 501 points > 481 points
Now, how could you prove that Central was easily better than Altantic for lord's sake ? a close call would've been understandable at least .
1. One Atlantic team went to the Stanley Cup Final.
2. ECF were 100% Atlantic teams. Central teams representation in WCF: 0
3. There were 3 atlantic teams in the ECsemiF, 2 Central in WCsemiF
4. Read post above 501 points > 481 points
Now, how could you prove that Central was easily better than Altantic for lord's sake ? a close call would've been understandable at least .
You're talking about teams, this is a coach thread. Philly, Pittsburgh and NYR all have better teams currently than St. Louis, Nashville and Detroit on paper. People argue the only reason St. Louis even made the playoffs, let alone finished second in the west, was because of Hitchcock. People say the only reason Nashville has been so successful is because of Trotz. Detroit is Detroit but their key players are starting to age. None of these teams have a Crosby, Malkin, or Giroux playing for them.
