The question of who will be the next head coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins remains open, two weeks after the departure of long-time head coach Mike Sullivan. This coaching vacancy continues to generate significant interest.
Out of eight NHL teams seeking a new coach this summer, two have already made hires: the New York Rangers quickly signed Sullivan, and the Anaheim Ducks brought in veteran Joel Quenneville last week. The situation in Pittsburgh, regarding their coaching search, holds particular interest among the remaining vacancies.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet commented on the *32 Thoughts: The Podcast* that whoever takes the Penguins job will need patience. He stated, “Whoever gets this job, they’re gonna have patience. It’s a rebuild now — Kyle Dubas has said it’s a rebuild, so there’s not going to be immediate pressure to win right away, like some of these other jobs.”
The choice of candidate by GM Kyle Dubas will reveal much about the team`s specific direction. While they initially seemed hesitant about a full rebuild, they now appear committed. However, this isn`t a typical rebuilding scenario, given the presence of superstar players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin (likely entering his final year), and Kris Letang, all future Hall of Famers. This unique roster dynamic adds intrigue to the coaching search.
Friedman added, “Whoever goes in there is going to be able to coach Crosby, is going to be able to coach Malkin — who’s probably headed into his last year — and Letang, all of whom are going to the Hall of Fame. And because of Crosby’s magic, you never count out the fact that maybe he drags this team farther than is expected.”
This situation prompts a comparison between the current Penguins team and coaching search and the one the Washington Capitals faced two years ago, which led to the hiring of Spencer Carbery in May 2023. The similarities are apparent, at least from an external perspective.
Friedman mentioned, “I had someone say to me they were kind of looking for the next Carbery, but then someone else said to me, ‘I don’t think that’s the right way to put it.’”
Nevertheless, the comparison is interesting, especially considering the long-standing rivalry and connection between Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Tristan Blackwood