St-Louis Jack Adams Nomination Speaks To Coaching Evolution

Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis can now claim he’s a Jack Adams Award finalist, a clear-cut sign that his evolution alongside the young team core has started to yield positive results.

St-Louis joins Spencer Carbery (Washington Capitals) and Scott Arniel (Winnipeg Jets) as the finalists for the award, which is given to the NHL coach judged to have contributed more to his team’s success than any other bench boss.

Leaders behind the bench. 🫡 #NHLAwards

Scott Arniel, Spencer Carbery, and Martin St. Louis have been named as finalists for the Jack Adams Award. The award is given annually “to the coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” pic.twitter.com/2O4ghN6itj

— NHL (@NHL) May 2, 2025

Experience Vs. Passion

When the Canadiens originally hired St-Louis in 2022, there was a cascade of criticism regarding his lack of professional coaching experience. Or to be more accurate, his complete lack of experience coaching at any level beyond the leagues in which his sons played.

However, despite the lack of intricate systems, or detailed strategies, St-Louis quickly managed to connect with one of the most important aspects of any relationship between a coach and his players.

His passion shone through, immediately putting his players at ease, while also providing an honest and constructive assessment of the current issues, both from an individual and team standpoint.

The most telling anecdote was provided by prospect Owen Beck, who explained he was willing to run through a wall after just a few moments of speaking to St-Louis at the team’s development camp.

It’s understandable.

Few players have accomplished more with less, which, in turn, means St-Louis commands the respect of his players, rather than having to demand it.

There are still some aspects in which St-Louis could improve, including defensive strategies, in-game adjustments, and goaltender workload management, but it’s also fair to say he’s been handcuffed by a roster that is far from perfect.

And yet, he’s managed to coach the youngest team in league history to ever qualify for the playoffs, a testament to his evolution that is running parallel with the many young, talented players in the lineup.

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