{"id":9,"date":"2023-10-27T17:04:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T17:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/hr-blog\/?p=9"},"modified":"2025-11-01T18:33:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T18:33:18","slug":"nhl-ranking-top-10-greatest-coaches-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/hr-blog\/2023\/10\/nhl-ranking-top-10-greatest-coaches-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 NHL Coaches of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on November 1, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Hockey League is the premier professional hockey organization in the world. It attracts the top skaters, but the greatest coaches and strategists also aspire to be in the NHL. In this post, we will use the data of Hockey-Reference.com and Stahead.com to identify the best NHL coaches of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Winningest NHL Coaches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Victories are an essential measuring stick to determine the success or failure of a bench boss in hockey. These individuals provide a combination of superb strategy, player motivation, and team building that convert into the all-important point totals in the standings. They say the cream rises to the top; here are the head coaches with the most \u201cW\u2019s\u201d in league history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tAl Arbour<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

6-0<\/span>, 180lb<\/span> (183cm, 81kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n November 1, 1932\n <\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Sudbury, Ontario\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n \n August 28, 2015\n (Aged 82-300d)<\/span>\n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Builder 1996\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A list of the best hockey coaches of all time would only be complete with the mention of Coach Al Arbour. Arbour\u2019s accomplishments as an NHL coach provided his teams with 123 postseason victories and 782 W\u2019s during the regular season. This legend guided the franchises of the St. Louis Blues<\/a> (1970-73) and the New York Islanders<\/a> (1973-1994 & 2007-08 –>one game only).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tPaul Maurice<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n January 30, 1967\n <\/span> (Age: 58-275d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Being at the top of the standings has much to do with wins, but it is ultimately based on point totals. Coach Paul Maurice is one NHL coach who is high on the point total list. The current leader of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers has led his teams to 921 regular-season victories on NHL ice and accumulated 2,090 points in the standings over his career as a coach. Paul has served as the bench boss of the Hartford Whalers\/Carolina Hurricanes<\/a> (1995\u20132003 & 2008\u20132011), the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> (2006-2008), the Winnipeg Jets<\/a> (2014\u20132022), and the Florida Panthers<\/a> (2022-present).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tLindy Ruff<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

6-2<\/span>, 201lb<\/span> (188cm, 91kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n February 17, 1960\n <\/span> (Age: 65-257d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Warburg, Alberta\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n

Pronunciation<\/strong>: \\LIHN-dee RUHF<\/a>\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Coach Ruff is currently working the bench of the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> (for a second time) and is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NHL. His 900 NHL victories going into the 2025-26 season as a headman stem from his time with the Dallas Stars<\/a> (2013-2017) and New Jersey Devils<\/a> (2020-2024). Of course, the major of his W’s have come at the helm of the Buffalo Sabres (1997-2013 & 2024-present).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tKen Hitchcock<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n December 17, 1951\n <\/span> (Age: 71-303d)<\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Edmonton, Alberta\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Builder 2023\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hitchcock ended his NHL coaching career with 849 victories. He was named a 2019 Order of Hockey in Canada recipient. Hitchcock was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2023. Known for his demanding coaching style, this legend served as the head coach of the Dallas Stars<\/a> and led the team to the Stanley Cup in 1999<\/a>. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues, and Edmonton Oilers. Coach has been recognized as a two-time NHL All-Star Game coach and has won numerous awards, including the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year in 2012<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tBarry Trotz<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n July 15, 1962\n <\/span> (Age: 63-109d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Winnipeg, Manitoba\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Coach Trotz is the former head coach of the Nashville Predators<\/a>, Washington Capitals<\/a>, and New York Islanders<\/a>. “Trotzy,” as he is fondly referred to, is known for his defensive-minded coaching style, which helped his teams win 914 times. He served as Nashville’s first coach in 1997, leading the Predators to their first playoff appearance in 2004. Trotz later led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018<\/a>, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. In the Big Apple, he helped the Islanders to two consecutive Eastern Conference playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tJoel Quenneville<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

6-1<\/span>, 200lb<\/span> (185cm, 90kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n September 15, 1958\n <\/span> (Age: 67-047d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Windsor, Ontario\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n

Pronunciation<\/strong>: \\KWEN-vihl<\/a>\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Joel Quenneville was a former player and was the 21st overall selection in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft<\/a>, picked by the Toronto Maple Leafs. His great defensive prowess produced for multiple NHL teams on the ice. As a great strategist and technician on skates, it was easy to see the transition to coaching. Quenneville was hired as the head coach of the St. Louis Blues in 1997 and led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2001<\/a>. Coach later took on the same role with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008. He led the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup championship in 49 years in 2010<\/a>, then repeated the feat in 2013<\/a> and 2015<\/a>. He also served as the bench boss of the Colorado Avalanche (2005-2008) and the Florida Panthers (2019-21). During his time as a head coach, now with the Anaheim Ducks, his teams have won 975 regular-season contests!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tScotty Bowman<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n September 18, 1933\n <\/span> (Age: 90-028d)<\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Montreal, Quebec\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Builder 1991\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What can you say about this man? Bowman chalked up an astounding 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs during his many stints as an NHL head coach. This legend guided his teams to a record nine Stanley Cups: five with the Canadiens<\/a> (1973 & 1976\u201379), one with the Penguins<\/a> (1992), and three with the Red Wings<\/a> (1997, 1998, & 2002). Coach Bowman repeatedly proved that his style gets the most out of his players and unites them to a common goal of hoisting Lord Stanley\u2019s Cup, making him one of the greatest hockey coaches ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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NHL Coaches with the Most Championships<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As previously stated, Coach Bowman has the NHL coaching record with Nine Stanley Cup championships. Here are a few others who have held the Stanley Cup almost as many times in their outstanding careers as NHL bench bosses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tGlen Sather<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

5-11<\/span>, 180lb<\/span> (180cm, 81kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n September 2, 1943\n <\/span> (Age: 80-044d)<\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in High River, Alberta\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Builder 1997\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Coach Sather enjoyed, to date, the highest winning percentage of any NHL Coach in the postseason with at least 50 playoff games, with an astounding .705. His success is attributed to leading the Edmonton Oilers<\/a> to four Stanley Cup championships in the 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tHap Day<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

5-11<\/span>, 175lb<\/span> (180cm, 79kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n June 14, 1901\n <\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Owen Sound, Ontario\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n \n February 17, 1990\n (Aged 88-248d)<\/span>\n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Player 1961\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hap Day was a former professional hockey player who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Toronto St. Patricks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Americans and left the ice to become a coach. Day led the Maple Leafs<\/a> to five Stanley Cup championships in the 1940s\u00a0(1942, 1945, 1947, 1948, & 1949); for his great play and coaching, Day was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tToe Blake<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n

5-10<\/span>, 165lb<\/span> (178cm, 74kg) <\/p>\n

\n Born:<\/strong>\n \n August 21, 1912\n <\/span>\n\n \n \n \n in Victoria Mines, Ontario\n \n <\/span>\n ca<\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n \n May 17, 1995\n (Aged 82-269d)<\/span>\n <\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n \n Player 1966\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Toe Blake is an example of another legendary player who succeeded as an NHL coach. After he played 14 seasons in the NHL with the Montreal Maroons and Montreal Canadiens, winning three Stanley Cups, he then coached the Canadiens<\/a> to eight Stanley Cups in 13 seasons, the most by any coach in team history.\u00a0 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1965, 1966, and 1968). He was also named the NHL’s Coach of the Year in 1964<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, this is truly a formidable list of great coaching legends! Whether it be wins, points, playoff victories, or bringing home Lord Stanley\u2019s Cup, these coaches have earned their salt in the annals of legends through strategy, team building, and motivating their skaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who is the greatest NHL coach of all time?<\/strong><\/strong>

The answer to who may be the best NHL coach has a handful of answers depending on the criteria one uses to examine the facts. Some may state Toe Blake, Glen Sather, or Hap Day are the best for what they did in winning championships in a short period with a single team. Others may look to Joe Quenneville or Scotty Bowman as the top coaches in history for what they did in long coaching careers with multiple franchises.<\/p> <\/div>

Who is the losingest coach in NHL history?<\/strong><\/strong>

This question is a bit complicated. The NHL coach with the most losses is Paul Maurice, with 772 regular-season losses at the moment. This hardly makes him a losing coach, though, because, as we stated earlier, he has won over 900 games and the last two Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(last updated on November 1, 2025) Introduction The National Hockey League is the premier professional hockey organization in the world. It attracts the top skaters, but the greatest coaches and strategists also aspire to be in the NHL. In this post, we will use the data of Hockey-Reference.com and Stahead.com to identify the best NHL […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[4,3,5],"class_list":["post-9","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-nhl-lists","tag-best-hockey-coaches","tag-best-nhl-coaches","tag-nhl-history"],"yoast_head":"\nTop 10 NHL Coaches of All Time - Hockey Reference<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/hr-blog\/2023\/10\/nhl-ranking-top-10-greatest-coaches-of-all-time\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Top 10 NHL Coaches of All Time - Hockey Reference\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(last updated on November 1, 2025) Introduction The National Hockey League is the premier professional hockey organization in the world. It attracts the top skaters, but the greatest coaches and strategists also aspire to be in the NHL. 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