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NHL Power Rankings: Who is the best head coach in the league?

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; A general view of the NHL shield logo before the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

#18: Bob Hartley

The Calgary Flames have one of the best motivators in the NHL in head coach Bob Hartley. However, his strategies leave a bit to be desired. He has had success in the past, winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2000-2001 season and taking the Avalanche to the Eastern Conference Finals in four consecutive seasons, but after his strong first four seasons in the NHL, he has made the playoffs just twice in nine seasons.

Part of that is because Hartley coached the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets). Still, his work with the Calgary Flames confirms that he has trouble when he doesn’t have strong goaltending. Hartley likely has little to do with how well his goalies do. That isn’t to say that Hartley isn’t smart. He was intelligent enough to roll with his strong first forward line of Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, and Jiri Hudler in 2014-2015.

There are numerous NHL head coaches who wouldn’t have allowed young players like Monahan and Gaudreau to play such a huge role. He was also intelligent enough to realize that they had to be put in situations where they could score and he has implemented that over the past two seasons.

Hartley is a solid head coach, but he is nothing spectacular and he has his flaws. To be fair, he hasn’t had an optimal roster since his days in Colorado and he tends to get the most out of the talent he is given.

Next: #17: Gerard Gallant

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