Why Jets’ Scott Arniel deserves more love in the Jack Adams race 

Replacing one of the best coaches of all time isn’t easy, but Winnipeg Jets rookie head coach Scott Arniel has lived up to the task.

After spending time as an assistant on Rick Bowness’ Jets bench, Arniel took over the big job for his second NHL head coaching role in 2024-25 and has led the team to the top of the NHL standings on 98 points with 14 games remaining. 

As the regular season enters its final stretch, is the 62-year-old the favorite to win the Jack Adams Award, or could it go to another standout coach like the Washington Capitals’ Spencer Carbery?

On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Colby Cohen and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss the Jack Adams Trophy odds, and why Arniel might deserve the nod. 

Yaremchuk: I want to talk about the Jack Adams. Right now, at Bet365, Spencer Carbery is the runaway favorite, and it’s not even close…But let me ask you, does he deserve to be this much of a runaway favorite, or are there some other names that you want to give some love to?

Cohen: The Arniel move was a little bit criticized. I think people felt like it was just sort of an easy way out to promote from within and not spend a ton of money, but I just look at the details in the way that the Winnipeg Jets are playing. 

I watch the way that they go back on pucks better than any other year. I watch not just the defenseman who goes back on the puck with his partner. I watch how the wingers get back into their spots. I watch how when they execute their forecheck properly, how they come back and get above the puck, and the back pressure that they put.

I just looked at the fact that, yes, Winnipeg has been really good in the regular season before, but they haven’t had the crazy slide that we’ve seen them have in previous years, and I just think their game is more detailed. I think it’s more suitable for the playoffs.

You can watch the whole Jack Adams Award segment and the rest of the episode here.