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  • 09:28 AM ET  03.26

Which NHL head coach would you most like to play for?

Mike Babcock, Red Wings.....16%
Ted Nolan, Islanders.....10%
Wayne Gretzky, Coyotes.....8%
Joel Quenneville, Avalanche.....7%
Andy Murray, Blues.....4%
Brent Sutter, Devils.....4%
Jacques Lemaire, Wild.....4%
Randy Carlyle, Ducks.....4%
John Paddock, Senators.....3%
Lindy Ruff, Sabres.....3%
Mike Keenan, Flames.....2%

[Based on a survey of 365 NHL players] 

FAST FACTS: None of these top vote-getters have won a Stanley Cup behind the bench.... Through Sunday the Islanders, Coyotes and Blues were all well outside playoff position; the Avalanche was eighth in the West.... Nolan (1997) and Quenneville (2000) have won a coach of the year award.

This is an expanded version of the NHL poll from the March 31, 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated.

What's your take on this poll?   

March 26, 2008  10:14 AM ET

These are all coaches that the players can learn alot from and develop as a player. And it doesnt hurt that many are players coaches.

Each has a unique view on how the game is played and generally incorporates development of the player and then the scheme. May likely be why none have won a championship.

Side note: Gretzky is Gretzky, who would not want to play a year for the guy.

March 26, 2008  06:58 PM ET

carbo should be up their on that list. has done a great job for the past 2 seasons. hes a winner and you never see him complain to the refs and never see him upset at the players behind the bench.

March 27, 2008  02:35 AM ET

the top two chocies only received 1/4 of the votes, and the next 1/4 of the votes spread across a half dozen coaches.

the lack of consensus amongst the players is telling; they do not agree any coach is a difference maker. i think the players are right.

had this question been posed 10 years ago, im confident scotty bowman for example would poll over 16% of the votes. or, if the same question was posed to players in the other major sports, im confident the top choice would poll better there too.

March 27, 2008  10:48 AM ET

FYI Lindy Ruff also won the Jack Adams.

March 28, 2008  03:39 PM ET

Bruce Boudreau from the Capitals looks like a great coach from where I am sitting - he takes over a team that is dead last in the league in points (during the season) and now they are on the brink of the playoffs - sure, they have Ovechkin but he must be doing something right to motivate his players - 6-14-1 before he took over and 33-17-7 since Coach of the Year, in my opinion

March 29, 2008  10:23 AM ET

stanley zand --

Carbo spent all last season sniping at the refs and alienating Alexi Kovalev. Did you just wake up from a coma?

I'll grant you he has matured greatly this year, but he was the major reason the tea, failed last year.

March 29, 2008  03:22 PM ET

This is a joke...Laviolette is one of the best if not the best in the game. Have you seen how many mangame the Hurricanes have lost to injury..and I'm not talking a tummy ache. He's had so many Albany River Rats play for him this season that they might as well rename them the Carolina Rats!

April 4, 2008  07:02 PM ET

The above statement is wrong - Jacques Lemaire has won a Stanley Cup behind the bench for the Devils in 95.

April 4, 2008  07:03 PM ET

The above statement is wrong - Jacques Lemaire won a Stanley Cup behind the bench for NJ in 95.

April 4, 2008  07:03 PM ET

Sorry - didn't mean to post twice.

May 12, 2008  06:17 AM ET

"FAST FACTS: None of these top vote-getters have won a Stanley Cup behind the bench."

Mike Keenan won the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers.

July 1, 2008  10:53 PM ET

Ruff won the Jack Adams and Lemaire and Keenan cups....stick to football SI

 
July 1, 2008  10:54 PM ET

Ruff won the Jack Adams two years ago. Keenan and Lemaire both won cups....wake up SI and stick to football

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