How can this be? Sullivan not a finalist

Two top coaches think he’s NHL’s coach of the year

LAS VEGAS — Mike Babcock occupied one set of risers Tuesday on a steamy Las Vegas afternoon. Across a vast ballroom inside the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas was Todd McLellan. Earlier, John Tortorella stood a few feet downfrom Babcock’s perch.

Three great coaches. Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets, respectively. All deserving candidates for the Jack Adams Award. But one guy was missing — backto-back Stanley Cup winner Mike Sullivan of the Penguins.

“Forget about the Cups,” Tortorella told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I thought the way [Sullivan] handled his team, with all the injuries they went through … the different lineups … I don’t get it.”

Tortorella was happy for the nomination because it meant the Blue Jackets had a successful year, but make no mistake: He thought Sullivan, one of his best friends, should have been there with him.Or even in spite of him.

“I don’t want to get into trying to change the rules, but I think the playoffs should count with this type of stuff,” Tortorella said. “That’s when a lot of things go on with coaches and matchups. Maybe changing a little bit within your team concept.

“You know how I feel about ‘Sully.’ You don’t win two Cups in a row when you’re not one of the top coaches in the National Hockey League. I’ve felt that way about him for a long time. He’s finally getting the opportunity to show that.”

Tortorella and Sullivan have not spoken since the Penguins’ Cup-clinching, Game 6 win in Nashville, Tenn.

Sullivan called Tortorella Monday. Tortorella was traveling. Tortorella called back Tuesday and got Sullivan’s voicemail. Tortorella said Sullivan currently is back in Boston.

“I’m looking forward to talking to him,” Tortorella said.

Making difficult decisions is one of the things that resonates most with Tortorella regarding Sullivan, one of the biggest being his decision to go with Matt Murray, and not Marc-Andre Fleury, in the middle of the Eastern Conference final.

Bruins center Patrice Bergeron played for Sullivan in Boston and had similar things to say — about Sullivan being direct and fair and giving Bergeron a chance as an 18-year-old rookie drafted inthe second round.

“He gave me a chance to prove myself,” Bergeron said. “I think it says a lot about the type of person he is. Hewas a very fair coach.

“He’s always been so nice to me, teaching me a lot. I owe him a lot for what I’ve accomplished.”

Who will win the Jack Adams is anybody’s guess, although you would have to think it would be Babcock for the job he did with a younger-than-young Toronto team.

Babcock, like Sullivan, has never won the award.

“The guy who wins the Stanley Cup is the coach of the year without question, but it’s still nice to be here,” Babcock said.

Babcock said he remembers hearing Sullivan speak about 10 years ago. Immediately, he was impressed.

And, after watching Sullivan become the first coach in the salary-cap era to oversee back-to-back Cup-winning performances, he continues to impress Babcock.

“I remember about 10 years ago I heard him speak one time,” Babcock said. “I thought, ‘Geez, he’s a good speaker.’ He’s done a real good job. Anybody who can win back-to-back … he’s done a heck of a job.”

Fleury ‘benchmark’ pro

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby never has tried to beat a Penguins team without Marc-Andre Fleury.

He figures to get that chance next season, assuming Fleury goes to the Vegas Golden Knights Wednesday inthe expansion draft.

Holtby had some glowing words for his fellow goaltender Tuesday.

“When it comes to being a professional, he would probably be the benchmark for how to handle situations like that,” Holtby said. “Wherever he ends up, if he’s still a Penguin, us goalies around the league really appreciate what he’s done as a professional for the league and the game.”

Fellow Metropolitan Division rival Nick Foligno of Columbus, said it would be weird to see Fleury in another sweater.

“That’s what you envision him as; he’s always been a Penguin,” Foligno said. “That’s the way careers go. He’s done an outstanding job for the organization. I’m sure he’ll do a great job wherever he ends up.”