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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: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

#5: Jon Cooper

While Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzmerman tends to get most of the credit for the Lightning’s turnaround over the past few seasons, an often overlooked man who is responsible for that turnaround is head coach Jon Cooper. Cooper has already put himself in impressive company as his 61.5 percent point percentage is 18th all-time among NHL head coaches. About the only thing keeping him from being among the NHL’s elite head coaches is a Stanley Cup title.

Cooper is a former public defender with a background in law. It’s comical that when one watches Cooper, it’s easy to see. He obsesses over everything and he’s a perfectionist. That translates well as a head coach because he demands perfection from his players. Despite his harsh at times expectations, he is still beloved by his players because he helps them win.

He worked his way up from coaching high school hockey to being an NHL head coach. That experience has given Cooper a wealth of wisdom and knowledge about different hockey styles. Jon Cooper was close to winning his first Stanley Cup last season but he ran into an impossible to beat Blackhawks team. Taking them to six games was impressive considering that Chicago was destined to win last season.

With a Stanley Cup win, Cooper could insert himself among the upper echelon of NHL head coaches. Heck, he might already be there.

Next: #4: Mike Babcock

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