Babcock, McLellan, Tortorella named Jack Adams Award finalists

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock, Edmonton Oilers bench boss Todd McLellan, and John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets have been named finalists for the Jack Adams Award.

The honor is given annually to the coach judged to have contributed the most to his team's success.

Under Babcock, the Leafs made the playoffs for the first time since 2013, and for the first time in a non-lockout season since 2004 after finishing dead last in the league in 2015-16. He's never won this award, but was a finalist in 2008 and 2014 with the Detroit Red Wings.

McLellan led the Oilers into the postseason for the first time since 2006, and kept them in the hunt for the Pacific Division title until the final day of the regular season. He was also nominated in 2009 while with the San Jose Sharks.

Tortorella helped the Blue Jackets set franchise records for wins and points in a season. Columbus finished with the fourth-best record in the NHL after posting the fourth-worst mark in 2015-16. He's a four-time finalist who won the award in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.