NHL Daily: 3 with Flyers Links in Coach-of-Year Race; Ex-Fla. Boss Arrested

Three men with past connections to the Philadelphia Flyers are the leading candidates for the Jack Adams Award, presented to the NHL’s Coach of the Year.

According to BetOnline, Boston’s Jim Montgomery is the favorite at 2/5. The former Flyers forward was 18/1 when the season started, and he has directed the Bruins to the NHL’s best record (39-7-5).

Seattle’s Dave Hakstol, who coached the Flyers from 2015-16 to 2018-19, is the No. 2 candidate at 8/1. He has made a major leap since the start of the season (33/1). Remarkably, Hakstol has led the second-year Kraken atop the Pacific Division with a 29-15-5 record.

Former Flyers star Rod Brind’Amour, now the fifth-year head coach in Carolina, is third on the board at 9/1. The Hurricanes (34-9-8) are in first place in the tough Metropolitan Division and have the league’s second-best record.

If the season ended now, the Philadelphia Flyers’ John Tortorella wouldn’t win the award, but he would get some votes.

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: For fans who need a hockey fix because the Flyers are on their break, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have a home game Friday in Allentown against talented Providence. On Wednesday, the Phantoms whipped one of the AHL’s top teams, Hershey, 5-2, at the PPL Center. Philadelphia Flyers.

Florida Hockey Now: Andrew Brunette, who coached the Panthers last season, was arrested Wednesday under the suspicion of DUI and taken to a Florida jail. Flordia Panthers.

Washington Hockey Now: For the Caps, the 10-day break could not have come at a better time. They went 6-7-1 in January, a month in which they were hit hard by key injuries. Washington Capitals.

Colorado Hockey Now: Some of the injured Avs are skating and appear close to returning. Colorado Avalanche.

Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings’ experiment with goalie Jussi Olkinuora is over. He is returning to play in Europe. Detroit Red Wings.

Montreal Hockey Now: The timing of the Bo Horvat trade to the Islanders may help the Canadiens. Montreal Canadiens.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Horvat is now with the Islanders after a bombshell trade with Vancouver, but the center will still represent the Pacific Division at the All-Star Game. New York Islanders.

Boston Hockey Now: All-Star goalie Linus Ullmark helped the Bruins end a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 win in Toronto. The Bruins are 39-7-5 at the break. Boston Bruins.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks want to add a goalie prospect. It makes sense. San Jose is 31st in the 32-team NHL in save percentage. San Jose Sharks.

Carchidi Column: Flyers Have Exceeded Expectations