3 with Flyers Links in Coach-of-Year Race; Ex-Fla. Boss Arrested

Three men with previous ties to the Philadelphia Flyers are the top contenders for the Jack Adams Award, presented to NHL Coach of the Year.

According to BetOnline, Boston’s Jim Montgomery is the favorite at 2/5. The former Flyers forward was 18/1 at the start of the season and has led the Bruins to the NHL’s best record (39-7-5).

Seattle’s Dave Hakstol, who coached the Flyers from 2015-16 to 2018-19, is the No. 2 contender at 8/1. He’s made a big leap since the season started (33/1). Notably, as a sophomore, Hakstol led the Kraken to the top of the Pacific Division with a 29-15-5 record.

Former Flyers star Rod Brind’Amour, now a fifth-year head coach at Carolina, is third on the board at 9/1. The Hurricanes (34-9-8) sit first in the hard-fought Metropolitan Division and have the second-best record in the league.

If the season ended now, the Philadelphia Flyers’ John Tortorella wouldn’t win the award, but he would get some votes.

All about the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: For fans who need a hockey cure because the Flyers are on hiatus, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have a home game against the talented Providence in Allentown on Friday. On Wednesday, the Phantoms defeated one of the AHL’s best teams, Hershey, 5-2 at the PPL Center. Philadelphia Flyer.

Florida Hockey Now: Andrew Brunette, who coached the Panthers last season, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of DUI and taken to a Florida jail. Florida Panthers.

Washington Hockey Now: The 10-day break couldn’t have come at a better time for the Caps. They went 6-7-1 in January, a month in which they were hit hard by key injuries. Washington Capitals.

Colorado Hockey Now: Some of the injured Avs are skating and about to return. Colorado Avalanche.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings experiment with goalie Jussi Olkinuora is over. He returns to play in Europe. Detroit Red Wings.

Montreal Hockey Now: Timing of Bo Horvat’s trade to Islanders could help Canadians Montreal Canadiens.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Horvat is now with the Islanders after a bombshell swap with Vancouver, but the center will still represent the Pacific Division in the All-Star Game. New York Islanders.

Boston Hockey Now: All-Star goalie Linus Ullmark helped the Bruins end a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win in Toronto. The Bruins are 39-7-5 at the break. Boston Bruins.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks are looking to add a potential goalie. It makes sense. San Jose ranks 31st in the 32-team NHL in terms of save rate. Sharks of San Jose.

Carchidi Column: Flyers have exceeded expectations