If we’re going to talk about new NHL coaches doing good things this season, we probably shouldn’t look past our newest candidate.
Brad Shaw is a perfect 3-0-0 with the Philadelphia Flyers since taking over for John Tortorella last Thursday, so it doesn’t get any better than that.
But sample size is important. The candidates for this list of the NHL’s most effective first-year coaches all have at least 50 games with their new teams this year.
Craig Berube hit that mark, but he missed the cut because he’ll be measured by his playoff results with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With all that in mind, here are the five NHL bench bosses who have had the most impressive impacts on their new teams this season.
Travis Green, Ottawa Senators
Hired: May 7, 2024 – Record 39-28-6 – .575 points percentage
The Ottawa Senators have become a shining example of how strong ownership can lead to team success. It took Michael Andlauer a minute to get all his ducks in a row, but the organization is now headed in a positive direction after committing to Steve Staios as GM and to Travis Green as coach.
The Sens have deployed a dangerous power play, received decent goaltending and pumped up their offense since the trade deadline, going 8-3-1 and all-but-locking-in their first playoff berth since 2017.
The team has also brought out the best in Green: Ottawa’s .575 points percentage this season is a career high, better than his parts of five seasons coaching the Vancouver Canucks and 21 games as interim coach of the New Jersey Devils last season.
Scott Arniel, Winnipeg Jets
Hired: May 24, 2024 – Record 51-19-4 – .716 points percentage
When Rick Bowness retired last spring after guiding the Jets to their second-best season in franchise history, Scott Arniel’s main task was to avoid letting the team slide backward after being elevated from an associate role.
Instead, he took them to new heights, starting the season with an eight-game winning streak and maintaining the pace to sit in pole position for their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is a luxury to build from, but he’s not a one-man show. Top scorers Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers are all headed toward career years, Cole Perfetti has taken the next step, and the power play is one of the most dangerous in the NHL.
For Arniel to deliver a season this dominant is a win in itself for the Jets. If he can help erase the memory of last year’s ...
