Panthers interim coach Brunette named finalist for NHL coach of the year award

Florida Panthers interim coach Andrew Brunette was named Thursday as a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is presented annually to the NHL coach who contributed the most to his team’s success.

Brunette, who was named the Panthers’ interim coach in October 2021 after taking over for Joel Quenneville, led the Panthers to new franchise highs throughout the season, including winning the team’s first playoff series win since 1996 against Washington and the President’s Trophy for the best record during the regular season (58-18-6).

Quenneville — the second-winningest coach in NHL history — resigned as the Panthers’ coach on Oct. 28 after being named among those implicated for not swiftly responding to former Chicago Blackhawk player Kyle Beach’s allegations of being sexually assaulted by another coach during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Since taking over, Brunette led the Panthers to their longest winning streak (13) in franchise history, tying the record for the seventh-longest in league history. The winning streak lasted from March 29 to April 23.

The Panthers also won a franchise-high 34 home games this season, becoming the third-most ever in NHL history behind only Detroit (1995) and Philadelphia (1975), which each compiled 36 goals.

On home ice under Brunette, the Panthers consistently dominated the competition, leading all teams with 168 goals scored and a 4.67 goals-against average.

Florida scored a league-leading 306 goals, averaging a league-best 4.08 goals per game. In addition, the Panthers led the league in shots on goal (3,062), comeback wins (29) and set an NHL record with 13 overtime goals.

The other finalists for the award include New York Rangers and former Panthers coach Gerard Gallant as well as Calgary coach Darryl Sutter.