Oilers' coach Knoblauch could be passing Canucks for award this year

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Noel Drolet
February 5, 2024 (2:20 PM)

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With the Oilers breathing down the neck of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the consecutive win record, the success of this Oilers team is undeniable. The team has come into their own so much that it's almost hard to believe they were in 32nd place in the league earlier this year.

The Oilers have looked like two different teams from the start of the season to now, and most of that is thanks to new head coach, Kris Knoblauch. With this insane success that the Oilers have found, you have to give a lot of credit to the new coach. Knoblauch has been one of the best coaches since he took over the job, and the question is if he deserves the hardware to go with it.

The article goes on to ask multiple insiders what their opinions are on Knoblauch winning the Jack Adams, and the responses seem to be split.

Only one person outright said yes, and this is because of the Oilers .813 points percentage during Knoblauch's time in Edmonton. Edmonton has gone from 30th in the league to currently sitting at 10th, and one game away from tying the record for most consecutive wins in a season. Others said it may be given to him if conditions are met, like if the Oilers win the division or gain home ice during the playoffs.

Most people said as of right now no, because coaches like Tortorella and Tocchet, who took bad teams and made them very successful. The Canucks finished 6th in the pacific division last year, and currently sit at 1st overall in the seeding. Flyers on the other hand finished with a terrible 75 points in 82 games, and currently have 32 games to get only 19 points to match last year's total. These coaches will be very hard to beat for the Jack Adams award, but there is tons of time left in the season for Knoblauch to prove to everyone how much respect he deserves.