New York Islanders Barry Trotz Legitimate Competition for Jack Adams

3 of 4

VANCOUVER, BC – OCTOBER 3: Head Coach Bill Peters in NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL on October, 3, 2018 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Bill Peters | Calgary Flames

Record: 45-21-7, Points: 97

Fired by the Carolina Hurricanes just a season ago, Bill Peters has bounced back spectacularly. He’s got the Calgary Flames not only in the playoffs but at the top of the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.

While the Calgary Flames were by no means a bad team going into 2018-19, they weren’t projected to be this good. They finished just four points above the Islanders last season. Going into 2018-19 ESPN had the Flames at 19 in their pre-season power rankings. (The Isles were 26th.)

But with Peter’s focus on puck possession combined with Calgary’s high-powered offense, it was a match made in heaven.

In a relatively weak division, the Calgary Flames have stood out from the pack for most of the season. In a single season, Peters has been able to turn this underperforming group that caused their previous coach to throw tantrums at practice, to then lead the Western Conference a year later.

It’s been a heck of a turnaround for the Calgary Flames. And while the players are doing their part. So is Bill Peters. He’s done a remarkable job in a short time to get this group to click and execute his system.