[subby13]

I find that 'coach of the year' debates normally end up being highly dependent on the unique situations that each coach faces in a given season. People end up talking a lot about year over year improvements, or pointing to teams that are playing better than they look on paper. With these kind of factors dominating the debate, we rarely talk about who we actually feel is the "best" coach in hockey. Not the best in one season, just the best.

So, if you were building a team, and you could choose any coach in hockey to take the helm, who would you want? You can only pick a coach who is either active, or who can realistically be expected to step behind the bench again. In other words, you can pick someone like Pat Quinn, but you can't pick someone like Scotty Bowman.

I haven't added a poll because there are many possibilities and I'm sure I'd end up missing people that you guys might choose.

My choice: Lindy Ruff.

It amazes me to think that the same guy who coached those physical, defense first, low scoring Buffalo teams of the late 90s, also coaches the uber-speedy, high scoring, post-lockout Sabres. The fact that he has been able to coach effectively with those two extremely different philosophies shows that he has a great understanding of the game in a really well rounded way. It also shows that he's adaptable, and that he's able to tailor his systems and philosophies to suit the players that he has on his roster.

[hockeyboy14]

For me, it has to be Lemaire.

He's proven ( won Jack Adams twice), and the Stanley Cup. Although, he may have killed exciting hockey, his brand works and every team who has won, has taken something out of his coaching/tactical abilities.
Lemaire is also known to be one of the best coaches for working with and meshing both young players and veterans. He spends much time in evolving young rookies to reach potential and demands adaption from veterans to perfect his hockey system.

[Canuck]

For Me it would be Lindy Ruff without a doubt. This guy can be given any kind of team with different types of players and he can make it work. As Subby13 said he has a great understanding of the game and is very adaptable. He can work with any crop of players like the young players and veterans. Its amazing how long he has been around to coach the Buffalo Sabres and definetely shows that he has always done a good job with the team.
Lindy Ruff without a doubt

[Rids]

My pick would be Larry Robinson if I could put together a coaching staff to keep the stress off of him. Very promising coach that just took too much of the pressure personally.

Wouldn't mind Brent Sutter either.

[RustyBadcock]

Lemaire

This guy doesn't coach boring game, he coaches a very patient and fast thinking game IMO. He's also lived through so many changes in the way the game is played and managed to adjust throughout it all. He also has a nack for getting below agerage players to play above average and average players even better.

Gotta love em!

RB

[IslesFan9]

Barry Melrose lol...kidding

I'd go with Lemaire as well...

[Backstrom Backer]

Gotta agree with you ll that it would be Lemaire. He is top quality.

[hockeyboy14]

Too much agreement kills a conversation.

Hitchcock is coaching brilliantly at the moment.

[AtLossForWords]

This is a tough call. Ruff is a good coach, to be honest I've never really been a fan of Lemaire, but this is coming from a Hawks fan who had their hopes to win another Cup shattered by a big goal by no one other than Jacques Lemaire who suited up for Montreal.

I think Mike Babcock is an excellent coach considering how well he's had his Wings and Ducks teams play at both ends of the ice. The degree in psychology that he has could be a factor in how he handles players.

Ron Wilson has been a favorite coach of mine for a long time. He just seems to have trouble getting his team to win the in the playoffs.

[hockeyboy14]

Good point about Mike Babcock. I didnt even think of mentioning him.

Another thing, Brent Sutter, thus far, hasn't impressed me. The NHL is more about managing egos and having players buy into a system, whereas, when he excelled at the JR level ( best JR coach IMO), it was about getting team bonding and having a tough work ethic.