Today the NHL announced the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, these included Bruce Cassidy of the Boston Bruins, John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and none other than Mr. Martini himself… Alain Vigneault of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here are these coaches 2019-20 records respectfully:

• Bruce Cassidy (BOS): 44-14-12; 100pts.
• Alain Vigneault (PHI) 41-21-7; 89pts.
• John Tortorella (CBJ); 33-22-15; 81pts.

I know, on paper Bruce Cassidy does look like the surefire pick. Coming off a trip to the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, losing in seven, and dominating the whole following regular season without any signs of fatigue is quite impressive and extremely hard to do. That being said, what Vigneault was able to accomplish with the Flyers this year is nothing short of fantastic.

Last year the Flyers finished 6th in the Metropolitan Division, with a record of 37-37-8, and a dead-even .500 PT%. Oh, and they also set a NHL record for how many goalies they started in one season with eight, a total dumpster fire of a year. Compare that to this year, with a 41-21-7 record, .645 PT%, and they were one of the hottest teams going into the stoppage with a 9-1 record in their last ten.

Alain Vigneault in his first year shifted the entire culture of this team, and the fanbase embraced him immediately, he is a breath of fresh air. It’s no secret that the Flyers had been incredibly mediocre for the last 8 years and were starting to become a laughing stock to some. Well, that’s just not the case anymore. The Flyers finished 2nd in the Metropolitan Division this year and were a close contender for first, and fans we’re fired up before the stoppage. Taking this into account, and all of the roadblocks that were in front of the Flyers this season, I think Vigneault has a pretty strong case for this award. It also wouldn’t be his first time winning it (2006-07).

I’m not trying to take away from what Cassidy or Tortorella accomplished this year because both have done incredible jobs, but I just think the way Vigneault helped shift a mediocre culture, then catapulting us to a top eastern team all while being completely transparent with the players and the fans, was truly amazing.

Now he has a chance to grab the first seed in the east during the upcoming round-robin, and we know he’s going to try and take it.

Give the Martini Man the Jack Adams pic.twitter.com/5AYCRk8ImA

— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) July 15, 2020