Prior to the 2024-25 season beginning, THW put lists together on the top 10 players for each position, as well as coaches. It goes without saying that it is a very tough list to do given how subjective it is, but nevertheless, we are here to do it once again.
This list is not so much of a ranking as who we believe the top 10 coaches overall in the league are, but a mixture of the 10 we believe to be at the top of the charts, paired with how we envision them working out in the future. With that said, let’s take a look.
10. Kris Knoblauch
Though Kris Knoblauch took over as the head coach for one of the Stanley Cup favorites at the beginning of last season, the morale, culture, and position in the standings for the Edmonton Oilers were all in a negative place and he was able to turn a horrific start into a very strong run to Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final.
9. John Tortorella
It seems that whenever a team coached by John Tortorella struggles, the narrative begins that his old-school approach no longer works. Then, a short time later, the two-time Jack Adams Award winner shows the world that he is still one of the best in the business.
Tortorella seems to thrive when coaching an underdog team, making him a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Flyers. A team that most expected to be in the running for the first overall pick at the 2024 Draft missed the playoffs by the skin of their teeth with a 38-33-11 record. Given their expectations entering the season, and how well the team did right up until the last eight games of the year, Tortorella was a strong candidate for the Jack Adams last season.
8. Bruce Cassidey
When he was fired by the Boston Bruins after the 2021-22 season, most figured Bruce Cassidy wouldn’t remain without a job for very long. That was the case, as he was scooped up by the Vegas Golden Knights almost immediately afterward, and has continued to have tremendous success.
Other THW Positional Rankings:
In his first season with the Golden Knights, he led them to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. While he is known to be hard on his players, he joined a team that was in some clear need of accountability after missing the playoffs the season prior and was able to add just that.
7. Rod Brind’Amour
The 53-year-old Rod Brind’Amour has done a phenomenal job of turning the Carolina Hurricanes into Stanley Cup contenders since being named as their head coach ahead of the 2018-19…
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