Boudreau Nominated For Adams

First things first - here's the big, clumsy reveal, in case you missed it (and want to see some Don Cherry self-indulgence).

Anyway, per the Caps:

"The National Hockey League announced today that Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau is one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, which is presented annually to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success. Boudreau joins Detroit’s Mike Babcock and Montreal’s Guy Carbonneau as the three finalists.

"Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters announced as finalists. The winner will be announced Thursday, June 12 during the 2008 NHL Awards Television Special, which will be broadcast live throughout Canada on CBC and the United States on VERSUS from the historic Elgin Theatre in Toronto.

"Boudreau is the third Capital finalist for a postseason award and will be joined in Toronto by Alex Ovechkin (Hart Trophy finalist) and Nicklas Backstrom (Calder Memorial Trophy finalist). The Capitals could become the first team since the inception of the Jack Adams Award (1973-74) to have the coach of the year, player of the year and rookie of the year. Boudreau would be the second Capital head coach to win the award, as Bryan Murray received the honor after the 1983-84 season.

"Boudreau became the 14th head coach in Washington history when he was named to the position on an interim basis on Nov. 22, 2007. The interim tag was removed on Dec. 26, 2007.

"The Capitals were in 30th place when he accepted the job, but Boudreau quickly turned things around starting with a stirring overtime victory in Philadelphia on Nov. 23, 2007. In his 61 games behind the bench the Capitals posted a 37-17-7 record and ended the regular season on a seven-game winning streak to win the Southeast Division.

"Washington became the first team in NHL history to come back from 14th or 15th place at midseason and make the playoffs and became only the second team in NHL history to finish a season in first place in its division immediately after three or more consecutive last-place finishes.

"Boudreau, who had the Capitals on a 109-point pace had he coached the entire season, was the fastest coach in team history to reach 20 wins (34 games) and 30 wins (53 games). Washington earned 81 points after Boudreau was hired, which was only three points behind Detroit and Pittsburgh, which led the league with 84 points during the same timeframe.

"Boudreau rallied the Caps to 17 comeback victories and posted a 20-6-7 record in games decided by one goal. Washington ended the regular season with a club record 11 wins in overtime or shootout."

If I had to handicap the race, I'd say Babcock has no chance and that Gabby should edge Carbo. Since the media votes for the award, you'd think that the Boudreau story and his endless quotability work in his favor. Then again, he's going up against the Habs' bench boss, so who knows?

Oh, and a discussion on Karl Alzner's new hardware has sprouted up in the comments as well, FYI.