Coach Jim Montgomery, whose

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Ruff led the Devils to the second greatest year-over-year improvement in NHL history. New Jersey finished with 112 points in the standings, 49 points more than their total from 2021-22. That trailed only the San Jose Sharks, who improved by 58 points from 1992-93 to 1993-94.

New Jersey set new franchise records for points and wins (52). The Devils had a minus-59 goal differential last season; this season, they had a plus-65 goal differential. All of this success came after fans in New Jersey were chanting for Ruff’s firing amid a slow start to the season.

Hakstol, the first coach in Kraken history, led Seattle to a 40-point improvement over its inaugural season, and the team’s first playoff berth. The Kraken were the fourth-highest-scoring team in the NHL (3.52 goals per game). They went from a minus-69 goal differential to a plus-33 goal differential this season.

The winner will be revealed live during the 2023 NHL Awards at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Monday, June 26.