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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: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

#17: Gerard Gallant

The Florida Panthers have a solid but not spectacular head coach in Gerard Gallant. Florida loved his work as a head coach in the QMJHL and as an assistant coach with the Canadiens. They hired him so that he could grow with their young core of players. Gallant has been very solid for the Panthers as he has helped them grow from a mediocre team into a legitimate playoff contender.

He isn’t the best strategic coach as he has been outcoached by others as far as line deployment, but he is an excellent motivator and an above-average strategist. Gallant has been especially great with his treatment of young players. He boldly gave Aleksander Barkov minutes when it was questionable if Barkov deserved the minutes. In hindsight, Gallant was brilliant to give him those minutes and let him develop because now Barkov’s one of the most underrated players in the NHL. His penchant for young players can also be seen in how he has deployed defenseman Aaron Ekblad.

While Gallant isn’t perfect and has his flaws, he’s getting better with time. Missing the playoffs this season might have turned up the heat on his seat, but with the Panthers being a playoff team, that all but ensures that he’ll be around for the long run. Look for him to rise up this list over the next few years as he continues to put into practice what he has learned over the past few seasons.

Next: #16: Dave Tippett

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