Panthers NHL Award Watch: Joel Quenneville, Jack Adams Coach of the Year

Even though his Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times and he is the second-winningest coach in NHL history, Joel Quenneville has won the Jack Adams Award for Coach of the Year just one time in his legendary, Hall of Fame career.

That came 21 years ago when, during the 1999-2000 season, Coach Q’s St. Louis Blues won 51 games.

That’s almost as long as it has taken the Panthers to get out of the first round of the playoffs.

Almost.

The Panthers wrapped up one of their best regular seasons in franchise history Monday night.

As they head into the playoffs this weekend against the Lightning, there is renewed hope the Panthers can, finally, make a deep playoff run.

Florida’s success this season has placed Quenneville as a likely finalist for the Jack Adams Award.

At the midseason point, a panel of 17 NHL.com writers had him the overwhelming favorite over Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour, Chicago’s Jeremy Colliton, Minnesota’s Dean Evason and Toronto’s Sheldon Keefe.

Florida’s second half was as good as its first.

When it comes to the Jack Adams, Quenneville is looked at as the favorite to win with Brind’Amour and Evason the top competitors.