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Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach Dan Muse Named a Finalist for Jack Adams Award
Ruff reached the Jack Adams final for the fifth time after leading Buffalo to 109 points and its first playoff berth since 2011.
On Friday, the NHL announced Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, and Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse as finalists for the 2025-26 Jack Adams Award, which honors the coach adjudged to have contributed most to his team's success.
Each finalist guided their team to unexpected playoff berths this season. Ruff captured the Atlantic Division title with 109 points, Cooper reached 600 career wins, and Muse managed Pittsburgh to a second-place Metropolitan Division finish in his rookie campaign.
Ruff led the Sabres to their first playoff appearance since 2011, ending a 14-season drought. Buffalo won 50 games and captured the Atlantic Division title with 109 points, marking Ruff's most successful season in his second stint with the organization.
Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association will determine the winner through a poll. Muse aims to become the first rookie coach to capture the honor since Patrick Roy won with the Colorado Avalanche in 2013-14.
Cooper seeks his first Jack Adams Award win as a three-time finalist, while Ruff—a five-time finalist—previously won the award during his 2005-06 stint with Buffalo. This marks Ruff's fifth nomination for the league's top coaching honor.
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DK Pittsburgh Sports: Daily podcasts on Steelers, Penguins, Pirates! discuss Dan Muse being named a Jack Adams Award finalist alongside Jon Cooper and Lindy Ruff