Maurice led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season in South Florida
The job Paul Maurice did during his first year behind the Florida Panthers bench was quite impressive, even if it didn't get much recognition until late in the year.
He led a Panthers team that dealt with severe injuries, illnesses and an incredibly difficult travel schedule that didn't take a chill pill until the season was nearly over.
Despite all the obstacles, Maurice was able to rally the troops to not only make the playoffs, but do some serious damage once there.
Still, Maurice wasn't considered by the NHL Broadcasters' Association as one of the top three in his craft and he was left off the final ballot for the Jack Adams Award, presented annually to "the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success."
While the Professional Hockey Writers' Association is the group that votes on nearly all of the annual NHL awards, the Jack Adams honor goes to the broadcasters.
Recently, The Hockey News posted a story on five Jack Adams candidates for the 2023-24 season. In the piece, THN's Carol Schram dove into the recent winners of the award and noticed a bit of a trend.
Winners generally have led a team that showed vast improvement in the points department (around 20 points or more) from the previous season.
That's why it's within the realm of reason to think that Maurice could be strong contender this season.
Florida's incredible late season run already should have Maurice in the minds of voters.
If the past voting tendencies continue this year, and if the Panthers improve on their 92-point total from a season ago, why not Maurice for Jack Adams?
While he's been coaching in the NHL since the mid-90s, Maurice has never won the annual coaching award.
Perhaps if the Panthers improve on their up-and-down regular season from a year ago and play the way they did down the stretch and during the postseason, Maurice will get those deserved coaching props.
Of course, for Maurice and the Cats to be in position for him to get consideration, it seems based off past history that Florida would need to finish with around 110 points.
Last season there were eight teams that finished with close to 110 points, give or take. That doesn't include the record-breaking Boston Bruins and their 135 points last year.
The Panthers are expected to start the new season without top defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, who are both recovering from shoulder surgery.
Florida is also looking to continue playing the heavy, physical style of hockey that they excelled at during their run to the Stanley Cup Final.
You know, the system Maurice spent the entire season patiently implementing and waiting to stick.
Should the Panthers show up this season and continue on the road they began traveling last year, Maurice should get strong consideration for the Jack Adams.
