From 2017-2021, Travis Green was the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Midway through the 2021-22 season, Green was fired when the Canucks had an 8-15-2 record.
It wasn't until March 2024 that Green would get another shot to be a head coach again. After the New Jersey Devils fired the head coach Lindy Ruff, Green was named interim head coach. In 21 games as interim head coach, the Devils went 8-12-1 under Green.
In May 2024, Green signed a four-year deal to become the next head coach of the Ottawa Senators. This season started rough for Green, but the Senators are now becoming a rising team. With the Senators currently in a playoff spot with a 27-20-4 record, some might think Green could have a chance to be the 2025 Jack Adams winner, but Green will need one thing to happen to have a legit chance to win the award.
Senators must make playoffs for Green to have a chance at Jack Adams Trophy
If Green is going to be the 2025 Jack Adams winner, the Senators making the playoffs would need to happen to have Green have a chance. Green and the Senators don't want to get ahead as February has arrived, but some can't deny the improvement Green has had on the Senators this season.
The Senators haven't made the playoffs since 2017. If the Senators were to have their playoff drought end, it's a big step in the right direction. When the Senators fell to 8-11-1 after their 4-3 loss to the Canucks, some thought the Senators would go down further in the standings and miss the playoffs yet again.
Now, the Senators are in third place in the Atlantic Division with 58 points. A turnaround that not many people saw coming. To make matters more impressive, Green has been able to win with three different goaltenders since late November.
Linus Ullmark had a hot December stretch, then got hurt before Christmas. That led to Leevi Merilainen getting called up and he's posted a 7-3-1 record with a 2.19 goals against average and .921 save percentage since the call up from Belleville. While Anton Forsberg has struggled heavily at times this season, Forsberg has now won three of his last four starts. In three of the four starts, Forsberg has allowed in one goal.
While some may think the Jack Adams winner should go to a coach with a better record, Green's impact on the Senators is crucial. While the Canucks won the Pacific Division last season, it was the first time the Canucks made the playoffs since 2020. Canucks head coach Rick Rocchet ended up winning the Jack Adams award with not only helping Vancouver win the division, but helping Vancouver make the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Some might not have seen Green to have the Senators in a playoff spot on Feb. 1, but that's where Green has them. Confidence is riding high in Ottawa and huge credit goes to Green in his first season behind the bench.