NHL Western Conference: Coaches' Power Rankings

At certain points throughout every game decisions will be made.  While some believe it is the talent on the ice that wins games, clearly the credit falls on the shoulders of those who refined many of the fine athletic talents many posses.

An NHL season is a war, throughout the season many battles are fought.  It is the role of the coach to prepare your team for every battle by establishing the correct lines and pairings.  One on ice matchup throughout an entire 60 minutes could result in a win, or more costly a loss.

While the players often get the majority of the credit during stretches of success, NHL head coaches receive much of the blame during patches of adversity.  It is important that a team is built on the backbone of their head coach. 

In the Western Conference, competition is fierce.  This, in turn, magnifies not only the pressure on players, but also tightens the leashes on many head coaches.  Take a look at who tops the list as top-ranked coach in the Western Conference.

No. 15 Scott Arniel

Columbus Blue Jackets

2009-10 Record: n/a

Career Record: n/a

A rookie head coach has to start somewhere.  After great success with the Manitoba Moose, Scott Arniel was offered the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach position on June 8th.

While having previous experience as an assistant on the 2005-06 Buffalo Sabres, it will be an awakening for Arniel.

Being in perhaps one of the most established divisions, Arniel will have perhaps the deck stacked against him come the start of the 2010-11 season. 

No. 14 Todd Richards

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EDMONTON, CANADA - MARCH 5: Head Coach Todd Richards with James Sheppard #51 and Chuck Kobasew #12 of the Minnesota Wild watch the action against the Edmonton Oilers on March 5, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/G

Minnesota Wild

2009-10 Record: 38-36-8

Career Record: 38-36-8

Apart from experiencing success at the AHL level, including a Calder Cup Championship with the Milwaukee Admirals as an assistant, Richards struggled at times throughout the 2009-10 campaign.

While much talk surrounds organizational roster moves and spending, the task at hand will only get tougher for Richards.  The seat will be hot and anything but a successful start could make for an early exit with the Wild.

No. 13 Tom Renney

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Members of the Edmonton Oilers watch closely during shootout overtime as a teammate takes his turn turn on a shootout attempt against the Los Angeles Kings during their NHL game at the Staples Center on February 11, 2010 in

Edmonton Oilers

2009-10 Record: n/a

Career Record: 203-170-46

While coaching the New York Rangers to three straight playoff appearances, Renney compiled a .535 winning percentage.  Unfortunately, the playoff outcome hasn't been as bright.

Now with the task of trying to re-establish credibility to an organization who witnessed one of the worst seasons last year, Renney will attempt to do something he has never yet accomplished... Finish better than third in a division.

No. 12 Davis Payne

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 14: Head coach Davis Payne of the St. Louis Blues looks on from the bench during warm-ups prior to playing against the Minnesota Wild at the Scottrade Center on January 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Ge

St. Louis Blues

2009-10 Record: 23-15-4

Career Record: 23-15-4

Assuming the reins mid-season, Payne established intentions of winning.  He became the youngest active head coach, when the Blues dropped the interim tag.

The organization has established its commitment to succeed with the lucrative signing to former-Montreal Canadian Jaroslav Halak.

Payne has shown the leadership the Blues need, now it is a matter of playing the right hand throughout the entire 82 games.

No. 11 Marc Crawford

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Marc Crawford of the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on September 16, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Dallas Stars

2009-10 Record: 37-31-14

Career Record: 507-392-100-66

While the record shows that Crawford ranks 13th all-time in wins (507), the recent success has been minimal.

Over the past four seasons Crawford has failed to steer his team into postseason contention. 

The only saving grace Crawford has is a resume filled with eight playoff appearances and a 1995-96 Stanley Cup Championship with the Colorado Avalanche.

Crawford will be another that may be on a seat that could force him not only out of the Stars' organization, but possibly out of the NHL.

No. 10 Randy Carlyle

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Randy Carlyle of the Anaheim Ducks looks on from the bench during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on December 23, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Ducks 4-0. (Photo by

Anaheim Ducks

2009-10 Record: 39-32-11

Career Record: 219-139-52

The seventh coach in franchise history, Carlyle has brought consistent success to the Ducks.  Four out of the last five seasons the Ducks have managed to make the playoffs.

Clearly the high water mark has been the 2006-07 championship.

Carlyle will look to turn around last seasons mediocrity in hopes to make the postseason once again. 

No. 9 Brent Sutter

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 5: Head coach Brent Sutter of the Calgary Flames talks to team members during a time out in the third period of the game against the Florida Panthers on February 5, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Flames def

Calgary Flames

2009-10 Season Record: 40-32-10

Career Record: 137-88-21

After establishing a very productive couple of seasons in New Jersey, Brent Sutter left for "family reasons."

Through relentless criticism, he would join his brother, Darryl, in Calgary where he would miss the playoffs for the first time.

Regardless of how the Flames underachieve, Sutter brings a winning mentality. 

Other than success in the NHL, Sutter has also coached Team Canada to two consecutive gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championships.

While the failures from last season weigh heavily on skeptics, Sutter will need to establish better use of his playmakers such as Jarome Iginla.

No. 8 Joe Sacco

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 08: Head coach Joe Sacco of the Colorado Avalanche leads his team against the Edmonton Oilers during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on November 8, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Oilers defeated the Avalanche 5-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinge

Colorado Avalanche

2009-10 Season Record: 43-30-9

Career Record: 43-30-9

After a lackluster 2008-09 season, the Avalanche fired then head coach, Tony Granato.  Joe Sacco would become the next man to take a shot at returning the Avs to the playoffs.

After surprisingly finishing second in the Northwest Division, the Avs did just that. 

With Sacco now going into his second year and being more familiar with the NHL coaching role, look for the Avalanche to contend for another playoff spot in 2010-11.

No. 7 Barry Trotz

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NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 26: Coach Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators draws up a play during a timeout against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on Apr

Nashville Predators

2009-10 Season Record: 47-29-6

Career Record: 411-371-60-60

A franchise coach and face of the Predators, Trotz is known for discipline and focus.  Even though he has accumulated over 400 wins, he has only made five playoff appearances during those 11 seasons. 

During the five appearances, the Predators have struggled on offense.  Known for having stout defense, Trotz has had troubles getting out of the first round.  In fact, every playoff appearance the Predators have been knocked out during the first round.

Maybe change is what is needed to get them to that next step?  The pressure has got to be on this season.

No. 6 Terry Murray

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SUNRISE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Terry Murray of the Los Angeles Kings talks to referee Dave Jackson #8 after the Florida Panthers scored a goal on November 16, 2009 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Los Angeles Kings

2009-10 Season Record: 46-27-9

Career Record: 394-314-89-22

With the resurgence of the Kings, Murray has brought optimism back to the L.A. area.  After finishing third in the Pacific Division with a very respectable 46-27-9 record, LA made it back to unfamiliar ground... the playoffs.

Murray has nine career playoff appearances on his resume, and if he should return this year it will be through hard work and discipline. 

Murray clearly has the talent on his side, it is now the time to step up and position Los Angeles in a way he did Philadelphia in 1996-97.  While the Kings don't quite seem to be at that level yet, don't be surprised if they establish themselves early this year as a top-four team out west.

No. 5 Dave Tippett

Phoenix Coyotes

2009-10 Season Record: 50-25-7

Career Record: 321-181-28-44

Perhaps the biggest jaw-dropping turnaround performance was that of the Phoenix Coyotes.  Facing bankruptcy, the talent on the team wasn't filled with names like a Crosby, Heatley, or Ovechkin.

After a pathetic season of only 36 wins in 2008-09, Tippett would lead the Coyotes to their first 50-win season and a fourth seed in the playoffs.  He would go on to win the Jack Adams Award for having contributed the most to his team's success.

Tippett over time has never finished worse than third in the Pacific division with Dallas and Phoenix.  During that time period (2002-2010) his team has failed to make the playoffs only once.

No. 4 Alain Vigneault

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DENVER - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks leads his team against the Colorado Avalanche during NHL action at the Pepsi Center on October 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Vancouver Canucks

2009-10 Season Record: 49-28-5

Career Record: 291-232-35-36

With a proven winning record in Vancouver, Vigneault has solidified the Canucks amongst the league's elite.  After a mediocre 2007-08 season he almost found himself ousted as head coach in Vancouver.

The Canucks have been on the wrong side of the second-round playoff series three out of the last four years.

With the bolstering of team defense, look to see a pass or fail mentality from not only the fan base, but from the front office as well.  Anything less than a conference finals appearance will find Vigneault jobless next offseason.

No. 3 Todd McLellan

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 18: (R) Head coach Todd McLellan of the San Jose Sharks talks with his team while taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on May 18, 2010 in

San Jose Sharks

2009-10 Season Record: 51-20-11

Career Record: 104-38-22

There is zero doubt that McLellan can coach.  San Jose has been a beast in the regular season over the past two seasons.

Unfortunately the same can't be said during the playoffs.  As an ongoing trend seems to continue, this season the Sharks will begin the year with a new face between the pipes. 

The questions aren't being asked whether or not the Sharks can win, it is can they contend.  When faced with adversity the Sharks have crumbled.  While a coach takes blame for not being prepared it can be just as much in the hands of the players.

After making it to the Western Conference Finals, look for the Sharks to rebound from a sweep at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.

No. 2 Joel Quenneville

Chicago Blackhawks

2009-10 Season Record: 52-22-8

Career Record: 535-327-77-60

After reaching the peak of success in the 2009-10 season, many now ask where you go from here? 

Quenneville is accustomed to winning.  He has only missed out of two playoffs throughout the 13 seasons as a head coach in the NHL.

"Coach Q" currently sits ranked 11th all-time in the win category, after constructing 40-win seasons in nine of his 10 full season as head coach.

Regardless of salary cap woes, he could perhaps be the best coach in the league at getting the most from lesser names.  While many make fun of the line juggling spectacles, Quenneville is an orchestrator at getting the matchups he wants night-in, night-out.

No. 1 Mike Babcock

Detroit Red Wings

2009-10 Season Record: 44-24-14

Career Record: 326-163-19-68

When people think of coaches, many think of Mike Babcock. 

His run of four-straight division titles ended last year, but he also has two conference championships, and a Stanley Cup to his credit.

Decimated at times by injuries last season, Babcock did what very few coaches could manage to do.  Seemingly playing with a makeshift lineup of AHL players, the Red Wings marched to a fifth seed in the 2009-10 playoffs where the would get knocked out in the second round by the San Jose Sharks.

Now in a division where lead dog isn't so clear anymore, Babcock will face more challenges whether healthy or not.  Regardless, Detroit should contend once again as top team in the league and try to wrestle away the division crown from its rival, the Chicago Blackhawks.