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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: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images /

#9: Todd McLellan

While Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan has the huge “hasn’t won in the playoffs” gorilla on his back, there is no denying that McLellan is an extremely talented head coach. McLellan is particularly potent at the power play. He got his start in the NHL coaching the Detroit Red Wings power play from 2005 to 2008 until Mike Babcock and he carried that power play wisdom over to San Jose to form one of the deadliest power plays the league has ever seen with the Sharks.

McLellan will have his hands full as he oversees the rebuild of the Oilers from behind the bench. He simply doesn’t have a quality team, especially not on his blue line. No amount of coaching can make up for the lack of talent that he has in Edmonton. If the front office can make things right, it’s pretty scary to think what McLellan could do with Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Taylor Hall.

He helped the Sharks go from being a mediocre team to being one of the most successful regular season teams during his tenure in San Jose. Their playoff failures cannot be blamed entirely on him. He sadly has that scar of never winning in the playoffs and it’s one that he will have to wear until he wins in the playoffs.

Next: #8: Lindy Ruff

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