Pens New Head Coach Thread

[Gunnerfan]

I figured we could use this thread to discuss the new head coach: names, pluses, and minuses, who fits, and who doesn't. I put together a list to start the conversation.

David Carle, University of Denver
Rick Tocchet
David Quinn
D.J. Smith Asst LA Kings
Drew Banister
Jay Woodcroft
Mitch Love Asst Wash
Chris Lazary WHL Head Coach
SAM HALLAM SEL head coach
TODD NELSON AHL heahd coach
Mike Van Ryn TOT asst

[largegarlic]

Thanks for making this thread. It feels like it's time to formally move from discussing the firing/mutual parting to discussing who comes next.

Pensburgh had this article on unconventional candidates (https://www.pensburgh.com/2025/4/30/244 ... pittsburgh) that adds a few names not on your original list:

Rickard Gronborg, Swedish, but currently head coach in the Finnish Liiga
Roger Ronnberg, currently head coach in Swedish SHL but supposedly moving to Swiss league
Manny Malhotra, head coach at Abbotsford in the AHL, apparently hired by Dubas as a Leafs assistant coach before getting this AHL gig

I don't know enough about any of these guys to have strong opinions, but I would generally prefer an outside the box hire to a retread.

[dark_forces]

I figured we could use this thread to discuss the new head coach: names, pluses, and minuses, who fits, and who doesn't. I put together a list to start the conversation.

David Carle, University of Denver
Rick Tocchet
David Quinn
D.J. Smith Asst LA Kings
Drew Banister
Jay Woodcroft
Mitch Love Asst Wash
Chris Lazary WHL Head Coach
SAM HALLAM SEL head coach
TODD NELSON AHL heahd coach
Mike Van Ryn TOT asst

I would add Jeff Blashill to the list. Sault Ste. Marie connection. Michigan Wolverine coach, AHL coach with the Griffins, head coach in Detroit, and now an assistant under Cooper in Tampa. He checks a lot of boxes.

[Wyopen]

Todd Nelson, on the verge of three Calder Cups, years of experience at all levels, somewhat familiar with WBS Penguins, can bring the Caps winning attitude to the Pens, respected among peers.

[Pens4Life]

Gerard Gallant could be among considered..

My top 3 favourites at the moment are :
Todd Nelson
Rickard Gronborg (but unlikely)
Rich Tocchet

[KG]

A lot of good candidates. Almost too many. Dubas keeps talking about Washington and their approach, I could see him having interest in Mitch Love and Todd Nelson for sure.

Jay Leach is another name that is always out there that's close to getting a head coaching job. Marco Sturm is another name to consider.

[Pitts]

Can you add a poll to this??

I was going to do that, but you beat me to it with this thread.

[Gunnerfan]

Can you add a poll to this??

I was going to do that, but you beat me to it with this thread.

Done

[Daniel]

Can you add a poll to this??

I was going to do that, but you beat me to it with this thread.

Done

You forgot OTHER

[DelPen]

Need a bridge coach who will try to win but still also will actually play younger players. I'm hoping for Gallant. For the 15/16 Panthers he had some vets like Jagr and Jokinen but Barkov was 20, Huberdeau 22, Trocheck 22, Smith 24 and Ekblad 19. A lot of that team was under 25. But it all went off the rails after a couple years.

Looking at his time in Vegas, got an expansion team to the Cup Finals their first year, cast offs and young players again, but he only lasted a couple season there.

Then the Rangers, another mixed team of younger players under 25 and older vets. lasted a couple years again.

If the goal is to reload Gallant is well suited to get the most out of what the roster will most likekly look like this fall.

[Puck-Lurker]

Can you add a poll to this??

I was going to do that, but you beat me to it with this thread.

Done

You forgot OTHER

There are two great head coaches that I didn't see mentioned...

Øther -- some Swedish coach I think, coached literally every team in the world at some point.
Sam "Buddy" Ælse -- An English coach, born in (the) 1975, pretty much has held every function inside and outside every org.

[thehockeyguru]

Need a bridge coach who will try to win but still also will actually play younger players. I'm hoping for Gallant. For the 15/16 Panthers he had some vets like Jagr and Jokinen but Barkov was 20, Huberdeau 22, Trocheck 22, Smith 24 and Ekblad 19. A lot of that team was under 25. But it all went off the rails after a couple years.

Looking at his time in Vegas, got an expansion team to the Cup Finals their first year, cast offs and young players again, but he only lasted a couple season there.

Then the Rangers, another mixed team of younger players under 25 and older vets. lasted a couple years again.

If the goal is to reload Gallant is well suited to get the most out of what the roster will most likekly look like this fall.

What's Eddie O up to?

[Puck-Lurker]

Need a bridge coach who will try to win but still also will actually play younger players. I'm hoping for Gallant. For the 15/16 Panthers he had some vets like Jagr and Jokinen but Barkov was 20, Huberdeau 22, Trocheck 22, Smith 24 and Ekblad 19. A lot of that team was under 25. But it all went off the rails after a couple years.

Looking at his time in Vegas, got an expansion team to the Cup Finals their first year, cast offs and young players again, but he only lasted a couple season there.

Then the Rangers, another mixed team of younger players under 25 and older vets. lasted a couple years again.

If the goal is to reload Gallant is well suited to get the most out of what the roster will most likekly look like this fall.

What's Eddie O up to?

Working for the TNT broadcast, I think? Not sure

[offsides]

Need a bridge coach who will try to win but still also will actually play younger players. I'm hoping for Gallant. For the 15/16 Panthers he had some vets like Jagr and Jokinen but Barkov was 20, Huberdeau 22, Trocheck 22, Smith 24 and Ekblad 19. A lot of that team was under 25. But it all went off the rails after a couple years.

Looking at his time in Vegas, got an expansion team to the Cup Finals their first year, cast offs and young players again, but he only lasted a couple season there.

Then the Rangers, another mixed team of younger players under 25 and older vets. lasted a couple years again.

If the goal is to reload Gallant is well suited to get the most out of what the roster will most likekly look like this fall.

What's Eddie O up to?

Calling a too many men on the ice penalty constantly.

[thehockeyguru]

Need a bridge coach who will try to win but still also will actually play younger players. I'm hoping for Gallant. For the 15/16 Panthers he had some vets like Jagr and Jokinen but Barkov was 20, Huberdeau 22, Trocheck 22, Smith 24 and Ekblad 19. A lot of that team was under 25. But it all went off the rails after a couple years.

Looking at his time in Vegas, got an expansion team to the Cup Finals their first year, cast offs and young players again, but he only lasted a couple season there.

Then the Rangers, another mixed team of younger players under 25 and older vets. lasted a couple years again.

If the goal is to reload Gallant is well suited to get the most out of what the roster will most likekly look like this fall.

What's Eddie O up to?

Working for the TNT broadcast, I think? Not sure

I'm sure he would play our young players again and gun for last place

[Pitts]

Can you add a poll to this??

I was going to do that, but you beat me to it with this thread.

Done

Excellent!! Thank you!

[KG]

https://triblive.com/sports/among-colle ... -the-rest/

Here are some other college coaches. Jay Pandolfo is an intriguing option as well.

[Pens Fans Sweden]

What about Guy Boucher? Coached Crosby in juniors...

[Pitts]

Man, a lot of love for Mitch Love!

My vote is on Ricky Tocchet coming back to the 'Burgh! Crosby loves him, he would be great mentor for McGroarty.

[Maestro]

This thread is certainly feeling the Love. I'd be happy with 6 or 7 on this list tbh. I hope KD hits a home run with this hire obviously - Rick Tocchet is the familiar face - but apparently has some personal issues going on atm --- Gallant offers the experience but does he still have the fire in his belly? --- Carle/Love the up and comers with fresh ideas - but could they command the room with such big stars on the roster?

[Pens4Life]

I'm surprised for the love for the Love heh..

Have to google him a bit, dont know much about him, other than he is among WSH assistants.

[bse]

I just hope that Dubas doesn't go for his Leafs' buddies this time.

[Victor]

Voted for Todd Nelson, but I would not mind getting both guys from Washington's system as head and assistant coaches

[KG]

Jeff Halpern could be a good candidate too. Assistant on Tampa for years. Younger. Would think he would at least get an interview.

[Daniel]

Jeff Halpern could be a good candidate too. Assistant on Tampa for years. Younger. Would think he would at least get an interview.

That's a bit outside of the box and hopefully something Dubas will do.

One part of me wants a really old coach to go for a cup while transitioning to a younger coach who comes in as an assistant coach. Another part of me wants someone that can come in and be a young HC with an older assistant (Sullivan Tortorella from 10 years ago kind of dynamic).