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Our preview of tomorrow night's NHL Awards turns now to the Jack Adams Award, which goes to the top head coach in the league, as voted upon by the broadcasters. Last year, Dave Tippet of the Phoenix Coyotes won, with Barry Trotz coming in second. This season, Trotz is a finalist again, along with Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks.
So which of these three will take the stage tomorrow at The Palms? Follow after the jump as we make our picks, and then chime in with your own in the comments...
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Dirk: It's got to be Dan Bylsma - this was another outstanding year for Barry Trotz, guiding the Preds to the playoffs despite losing Matthew Lombardi in the second game of the year, and having to rely on AHL callups to plug a variety of holes in the lineup. But Bylsma lost two of the world's greatest players in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and managed to drive his team to a better finish than Nashville's, narrowly missing out on the Atlantic Division title.
Chris: Dan Bylsma - Trotz would deserve it any other year, but the Penguins playing as well as they did without Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal for long stretches is a testament to their coach's ability.
Sam: I think Vigeault should win it, honestly. Probably Bylsma, though.
Marc: There's a big difference between who should and who will win this one. Trotz should win it because he got the most out of a depleted and talent-starved roster and finished fifth in the rugged Western Conference, but Bylsma will win it.
What say you, Preds fans?