NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." Jim Montgomery and David Hakstol were announced as the other two finalists.
Ruff led his team to a regular season record of 52-22-8 and 112 points, which became a new franchise record. Additionally, their 49-point improvement from the 2021-22 campaign is a league record. The club finished as the third-best team in the league this season behind the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes.
Entering the 2022-23 campaign, there was speculation amongst media and fans that Ruff would be in the hot seat after finishing 28th the previous season. Things picked up right where they left off, with the team losing their first two games. On Oct. 15, "Fire Lindy" chants echoed throughout Prudential Center.
Less than a month later, on Nov. 12, fans at Prudential Center began a "Sorry Lindy" chant. When asked about the chant, he laughed and said, "I accept the apology. Someday us and the fans are going to sit down and have a beer and laugh about that one."
Ruff has been with the Devils organization since July 9, 2020, and at the time of the hire, general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he was looking for an experienced coach who could properly develop the organization's young talent.
"Lindy's track record obviously speaks for itself as a head coach in the NHL for 19 years. He's passionate, he has an infectious personality, and he's a leader," Fitzgerald said. "What I was looking for when this process started was somebody with NHL head coaching experience. I started from there and talked to a lot of candidates, but as each step went on, Lindy just continued to kind of rise above, and it became very obvious to me that this was a guy I could partner with and work with."
The team's young core has flourished under Ruff's tenure, and during last season's exit interview, Jack Hughes spoke highly of his head coach, saying he appreciates what Ruff has done for him over the past two years.
Ruff is not the only member of the Devils organization to be nominated for an award this season. He joins Nico Hischier, who is a finalist for the Selke Trophy, awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game, and Hughes, who is nominated for the Lady Byng, awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.
The award winners will be revealed on Monday, June 26, at the 2023 NHL Awards show.