Hitchcock, Vigneault, Babcock all come to mind off the top of my head as good coaches. I haven't googled them, haven't looked at their stats but they are coaches that always seem to get something out of their teams.
How would I define a coach as being good? I'd say he gets the most out of his team. He gets bad teams to play better than they should and gets good teams to play great. I look at the Devils over the past few seasons. Terrible over the hill roster but they always play a system that keeps things close for them. Slowly but surely they continue to get weaker and every year they get further from the playoffs, but I wouldn't expect that roster to make it. At least they are playing a good system and getting the most they can out of that lineup.
Great post Lafleurs Guy. First time in a long time I get to compliment you for a post.
Without consciously realizing it, you just described Therrien.
Look at our list of forwards.
AHL callups or rookies. De la Rose, Sekac, Thomas, Andrighetto.
Average to below average forwards (take your pick). Bournival, Malhotra, Prust, Desharnais, Eller, Weise, Parenteau.
Very good forwards Pacioretty, Galchenyuk, Plekanec, Gallagher.
Now look at our D.
Rookie D. Beaulieu.
Average to below average D (take your pick). Emelin, Gilbert, Gonchar (age factor), Weaver.
Very good D. Subban, Markov.
And then there is Carey Price backed by Tokarski.
The fans should be damn thankful that the Habs are winning games by Therrien "getting the most out of his team".