A coaching career in the NHL Johnson began his National Hockey League career as the head coach of the Calgary Flames in 1982, a post he maintained for five seasons. During that time the Flames never finished higher than third place in their division. After leaving the Flames, Johnson stayed on as an assistant coach for four more season with no team winning more than 30 games. In 1998-99, he became the first coach in NHL history to win the Jack Adams Award after taking home the title of "Coach of the Year". He left the NHL after six seasons to take over as head coach of the New Jersey Devils but was fired after one season. He returned to the league in 2004 as an assistant coach with the Washington Capitals but was let go after one season. After two more seasons out of the league, Johnson was named as the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 15, 2007. He is the first person outside of the NHL to be hired as head coach of its biggest market team. The Lightning went on to make the playoffs each year under Johnson's guidance before losing in the first round every year. On November 24, 2008, Johnson was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Lightning.