Senators’ Travis Green Ranked Sixth in NHL Coach of the Year Voting

Despite not being among the three finalists for the 2026 Jack Adams Award, Senators head coach Travis Green made a significant impression in the NHL Coach of the Year voting. The league announced on Wednesday that Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning captured the prestigious trophy for the first time, but Green’s sixth-place finish showcased the respect he garnered from voters.

Cooper’s victory came by a narrow margin of just three points, while Green’s performance stood out even against notable names like Rod Brind’Amour, whose Carolina Hurricanes swiftly eliminated the Senators in the first round of the playoffs. The voting results, which focus solely on the regular season, highlighted Green’s adept leadership as he navigated his team through a tumultuous season.

The Senators faced numerous challenges, including inconsistent goaltending, off-ice issues, and a string of injuries, particularly on defense. However, Green’s steady approach kept the team focused on what they could control, maintaining a consistent message that resonated throughout the locker room.

Ottawa concluded the regular season on a remarkable 21-6-3 run, clinching the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. In the voting, Green received four first-place votes, five second-place votes, and eight third-place votes, underscoring his impact on the team’s success.

Joining Cooper as finalists were Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Lindy Ruff of the Buffalo Sabres, both of whom also received high praise for their coaching efforts. While only two Senators coaches, Paul MacLean and Jacques Martin, have previously won the award, Green’s efforts this season have been commendable, keeping Ottawa’s challenging campaign on track.

Looking ahead, Green understands that the expectations will rise entering his third season. After two consecutive first-round exits and a playoff record of 2-8, the Senators’ next playoff appearance will come with heightened pressure and ambition.

In a separate but related event, Cooper was surprised with the award during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the “Coop’s Catch for Kids” Family Lounge at Muma Children’s Hospital in Tampa. Initially believing he was only there for the ribbon-cutting, Cooper was taken aback when the trophy was presented to him at the end of the event. “OK, you got me,” he remarked in a video shared on NHL.com. “I don’t have any words. I never thought this would be a reality.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.