Jared Bednar Secures Fourth Place in 2025-26 Jack Adams Award Voting

The 2025-26 Jack Adams Award, honoring the NHL's Coach of the Year, has been awarded to Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The announcement came alongside a detailed voting breakdown from the NHL Players' Association, highlighting the performances of the top 14 coaches in the league.

Cooper received the prestigious award after a season marked by challenges, particularly injuries that plagued his team. Nevertheless, he guided the Lightning to a playoff berth, finishing second in their division. The voting system allocated points based on placements, awarding five points for first-place votes, three for second, and one for third, as determined by members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association.

Jared Bednar, the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, finished fourth in the voting. His tally included four first-place votes, 13 second-place votes, and seven third-place votes, culminating in a total of 66 points. Despite leading the Avalanche through a remarkable season, Bednar faced stiff competition from other nominees, including Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who orchestrated a surprising turnaround, leading his team to the playoffs after a three-year absence.

Another strong contender was Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabers, who ended a 14-year playoff drought and guided his team to the Atlantic Division title before a narrow defeat in the second round. This marked Bednar's return to the Jack Adams conversation since he was a finalist in the 2017-18 season, where he helped the Avalanche rebound from a dismal previous year.

While Cooper took home the award this year, many believe he was overdue for recognition, having previously been a contender without claiming the honor. The coaching landscape continues to evolve as teams assess their leadership and performance heading into future seasons.