I can't justify Trotz as the "best coach of the era" at all. He just won the Stanley Cup for his first time, and the Islanders are doing well, so I think fans are still in the Trotz honeymoon faze. I think he's probably the best coach right now but for an era (post-full season lockout as described in OP), Trotz had never coached an NHL team to the conference finals, let alone the Stanley Cup finals, until last season. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the World Championships in 2003 (before the defined era) and a silver in '09.
I'd say Babcock since he's the main one that comes to my mind. Stanley Cup champ, Stanley Cup finalist, lost in the conference finals, and has only missed the playoffs once since 04-05. Also has a decorated international coaching resume. I recognize there could be someone better over the era but Babcock is the one that comes to mind for this poll.