Scott Arniel (Winnipeg Jets), Martin St. Louis (Montreal Canadiens), and Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals) are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, recognizing the NHL's top head coach. Arniel's first season saw the Jets achieve a franchise-record 116 points and secure the Presidents' Trophy. St. Louis guided the Canadiens to their best record since 2018-19 and a playoff berth, marking a significant turnaround for the franchise. Meanwhile, Carbery led the Capitals to a strong 111 points, earning them the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2016-17.

Each finalist lauded their respective coaching staff and players, emphasizing the importance of team unity and player buy-in for their success. The award has historical significance, and each finalist has the opportunity to etch their names in the annals of coaching history by leading their teams deeper into the postseason.