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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: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

#15: Ken Hitchcock

Entering this season, many (this writer included) doubted St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock because of his lack of postseason success. Hitchcock has made many eat humble pie by showing what makes him such a great NHL head coach. By all accounts, the Blues have been cursed this season with injuries. Despite that, Hitchcock has his Blues pushing for the Central Division title. Since so much blame is put on Hitchcock when things go wrong, it is only fair that he gets credit when things go well. And he deserves it this season.

All of that said, his wonderful head coaching this season will mean absolutely nothing if the Blues do not have postseason success. On paper, the Blues should be Stanley Cup contenders. They have great goaltending, arguably the deepest core of blue-liners in the NHL, and an opportunistic offense led by Vladimir Tarasenko.

Hitchcock is one of the better coaches in the NHL, but patience is wearing thin for him in St. Louis. If the Blues don’t finally do something in the postseason, he could be fired. Hitchcock shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new NHL team if that’s the case as long as he still wants to coach.

Next: #14: Peter DeBoer

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