The 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award: Who’s Most Likely to Win Coach of the Year?

The Jack Adams Award is the highest honor for a coach in the NHL, as it is presented to the person who has “contributed the most to his team’s success.”

The prestigious award was first presented following the 1973-74 season, and 40 coaches have accepted the award during its history.

Many of the most respected coaches in the NHL have received the accolade, including three-time recipient Pat Burns and two-time winners Scotty Bownman, Jacques Lemaire, Barry Trotz, John Torrella, and Pat Quinn.

Continue reading to learn who is most likely to win the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award.

1xBet’s Odds at 1.12 predict an 89.3% chance that Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals) will win the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award ::: Discover the current Odds now HERE

Spencer Carbery is the Frontrunner to Win

Most NHL fans would never have predicted that the Washington Capitals would become a top five team in 2025, but that is the reality.

For this reason, Spencer Carbery is the firm favorite to win the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award, as he seems to have found his feet on the team during his second season as head coach.

While he might be one of the youngest coaches in the league, he is clearly more than ready to lead the Capitals to victory this year.

After all, the team has become a genuine contender for the Stanley Cup in 2025, and it is unlikely they would have done so without Carbery’s leadership.

Dean Evason is Worthy of the Award

Dean Evason is a worthy contender for the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award due to his management of the shock death of seven-time NHL All-Star Johnny Gaudreau.

When Evason arrived at the Columbus Blue Jackets, he never expected his team-first philosophy to become so important off the ice.

When not dealing with the sudden tragedy of a much-loved player, Evason has had to help the team successfully bounce back from various injuries.

Despite the hardship the Blue Jackets have faced recently, they have remained a force to be reckoned with on the ice, and they could secure the first wild card for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference. For this reason, Dean Evason is an ideal candidate for Coach of the Year.

According to Don Waddell, the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, “I think Dean’s going to have to be in the mix regardless of what happens here because of the adversity we’ve faced.”

Sheldon Keefe

Sheldon Keefe was the pre-season favorite to win the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award, receiving 50 voting points from the NHL.com panel of 16.

He might not be the favorite to win Coach of the Year right now, but he is still in the mix for the accolade.

He has proven time and again that he doesn’t allow a little adversity to stand in his way. After being fired by the Maple Leafs in 2024, Keefe quickly found employment at the New Jersey Devils.

Once he arrived, he didn’t hesitate to bring on new players, such as Forwards Paul Cotter and Brett Pesce, goaltender Jacob Markstron, and defensive Brendon Dillon.

Since then, the team has secured a strong position in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and they are in a promising position for the Stanley Cup this season.

If the New Jersey Devils can secure a winning streak, Sheldon Keefe might stand a good chance at lifting his first Jack Adams Award.

If you believe Sheldon Keefe (New Jersey Devils) will win the 2025 NHL Jack Adams Award, you could win $7500 by betting $100 at 1xBet if it happens.