We had to handle long term injuries to core players early on and I thought Maurice did a solid job with load management and playing the personnel that Zito signed in roles that play to their strengths. I think he deserved a nomination this year but the other three guys do as well. I’d even consider the Oilers coach for coming in and turning that sinking ship around.
Yeah many had us as potentially missing the playoffs. I thought we could be a bubble team by Christmas. We were down Ek, Monty, Bennett to start and still got to first place by the new year. Don't get why he's continuously underappreciated and underrated. So much of what this team is doing right is because of his coaching.
Tocchet, I get because the Canucks took a step forward and beat expectations. But Brunette...eh, sure they exceeded expectations, but they were also very inconsistent. As for Bowness, not sure how the coach can be credited for a great defensive effort and the goalie is the shoe-in for a Vezina, it's one or the other IMO.