Two top seeds and another division champion make up the three nominees for the Jack Adams Award.
Barry Trotz of the President's Trophy-winning Washington Capitals, Lindy Ruff of the 109-point Dallas Stars, and Gerard Gallant of the Atlantic Division champion Florida Panthers were voted as the three finalists for the NHL's Coach of the Year on Thursday.
Trotz guided the Capitals to a franchise-best 56 wins in his second season at the helm. His team finished second in both goals for and goals against, and finished top five in both power play and penalty kill.
The Stars, owners of the league's most prolific offense, finished five points off the club's franchise-best point total from their Stanley Cup season in 1998-99. Ruff's third Jack Adams nomination comes in his third season with Dallas.
Florida set franchise records in wins and points, and established franchise marks for home and overall win streaks under Gallant's organization. He's a first-time nominee.
