NHL’s 10 Best Coaches for 2026-27: Preseason Update

Now that the 2026-27 season is underway, we are updating our lists of the top 10 players for each position, as well as coaches. It goes without saying that it is a very tough list to do, given how subjective it is, but nevertheless, we are here to do it once again.

Coaches don’t have stats outside of the team record, at least not the same way players do. There are a ton of different ways to measure a coach’s success, outside of how well the team is doing. Here is a list of the top 10 coaches in the NHL.

10. Dan Muse

Heading into the 2025-26 season, many were expecting to see the Pittsburgh Penguins in the draft lottery. Not only were they not battling for a high pick, but they rode their success all the way to the playoffs. Not only did Dan Muse give the veteran players their opportunity to thrive, but younger players mixed into the lineup had big impacts as well.

Muse found the best in his players last season. There were some growing pains at times, but as a rookie head coach, he was a major standout last season.

9. Travis Green

After joining the Ottawa Senators amidst a tough playoff drought, Travis Green has now brought the club back to the postseason in back-to-back years. His tight defensive system allows the team to shut down the opposition.

The Senators have some of the best analytics in the league under Green. Their biggest downfall last season was their goaltending. He faced a tough matchup against Rod Brind’Amour’s Carolina Hurricanes in the postseason, but they will look to learn and improve for 2026-27.

8. Ryan Warsofsky

While there were no big expectations for the San Jose Sharks heading into last season, Ryan Warsofsky took a young, inexperienced core, and every one of them took a big step under him last season. Of course, taking that step is a natural part of a player’s development, but he was able to hold them all to a higher standard and get the most out of every one of them.

There were obvious breakout candidates who did very well, like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and others, but Warsofsky was able to put a player like Colin Graf in a position to thrive and develop into a great middle-six option. Despite questionable depth, Warsofsky was able to bring the club within four points of a playoff berth.

7. John Hynes

The Minnesota Wild have some great star power, but John Hynes has been able to bring the best out of his depth, too. The Wild have a clear weakness at centre, but with a strong willingness to mix up the lines, Hynes has been able to find the best mix for each situation.

Other THW Positional Rankings:

• Goalies
• Defensemen
• Centers
• Left Wingers
• Right Wingers

Young players have been able to take on bigger roles while the team has stuck to their calm, defensively responsible approach. Being able to develop stars while maintaining that level of accountability makes for a strong team where players want to be.

6. Spencer Carbery

Spencer Carbery has elevated the Washington Capitals’ game significantly. Despite missing the playoffs last season, Carbery remains one of the top coaches. In 2025-26, the Capitals dealt with a lot of injuries, but are poised to be one of the top teams in the league this season.

The Capitals’ depth has been tested throughout Carbery’s tenure, but even with an aging group, he has kept the team competitive. Now, with the best depth in the league, the Capitals are going to look to make a statement this season.

5. Martin St. Louis

The Montreal Canadiens brought in Martin St. Louis, and some were skeptical at the time, but in his tenure with the club, he has brought a rebuilding team to an Eastern Conference finalist. The young core has developed excellently alongside St. Louis as a coach, and he has been able to unlock everybody’s strengths.

The Canadiens play with a ton of skill, which St. Louis is very familiar with. The top offensive players are given the opportunity to thrive, while the strong defensive players are put in positions to succeed and help the team. In a few more years, St. Louis could continue climbing this list.

4. Jared Bednar

Jared Bednar has been blessed with an excellent roster, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is a phenomenal head coach. The 54-year-old has missed the playoffs just once in his 10 seasons behind the bench of the Colorado Avalanche, and they are certainly hoping to have a ticket booked again this season.

The Avalanche certainly have their superstars, but they have also dealt with a significant amount of injuries and adversity. Bednar does an excellent job of keeping the players focused and playing winning hockey. It isn’t very often that a team deals with as many injuries as the Avalanche have over the past few seasons, but he and the team have recovered, stayed afloat, and made the playoffs each time. This season, they have Stanley Cup aspirations, and there is no reason to think Bednar can’t lead them back there.

3. Rod Brind’Amour

The 55-year-old Rod Brind’Amour has done a phenomenal job of turning the Carolina Hurricanes into Stanley Cup Champions and perennial contenders since being named as their head coach ahead of the 2018-19 season. Defensive accountability has been one of the biggest factors in the Hurricanes’ success, and though they can be hot and cold with their scoring touch, Brind’Amour finds a way to get the most out of the club.

The Hurricanes are always one of the top teams, and as of now, are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Brind’Amour and his culture are a huge reason for that, and the players work hard as a team every single night.

2. Paul Maurice

Three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances, including two championships, and the Florida Panthers remain as one of the best teams in the league. While there have certainly been some speed bumps along the way, Paul Maurice has kept the team playing incredible hockey, and they have developed an identity of being a pain to play against.

Every player on the ice will play as physical, defensively-minded, or dominant offensively, depending on which way Maurice wags his finger. He has a great relationship with his team, and is still one of the best coaches in the game, even after coaching over 2000 games.

1. Jon Cooper

Back-to-back Stanley Cups and a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final cemented Jon Cooper as one of the best coaches in the NHL. He has had plenty of success in the NHL, as well as internationally. Cooper has taken an aging group and still managed to get the most out of them, and have shown how they can take control of the league any given night.

Sure, having the star power is helpful, but the Lightning have found so much success throughout his tenure, and his ability to put lines together and have the role players excel is what put the Lightning over so many other teams over the last decade.