Pens New Head Coach Thread

[DelPen]

DJ Smith did nothing with the Sens so that's a pass for me.

[Toke]

Mine was the lone vote for DJ. I think he’s a good fit for a soon to be young roster. Also just have a hunch.

[Victor]

Adam Foote gets the Canucks HC gig. Surprising.

Pens seemingly will have the pick of the litter. Plenty of candidates with few openings.

Canucks went with internal options. Foote was hired as an assistant coach when Tocchet was brought in, Malhotra is their current AHL head coach.

[Cow_Master66]

Current HC openings are Pens, Boston, Seattle, Chicago. Whoever gets these jobs shouldn't expect to be winning a Cup anytime soon.

I could see Boston bringing in Sturm or Malhotra. Seattle going with more of a veteran. I think the Pens will go with a younger, non-retread HC, maybe bring in a veteran assistant coach.

Chicago has been building awhile, are they really not close yet?

They held onto their aging stars too long and tried to go for cups when the window was closed. All too familiar story. 7-8 years sounds right when u trade all your futures.

[DeHaven162]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

[Pitts]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

I just read that story as well. I didn't know that the Flyers made it official with Tocchet! LOL

[FLPensFan]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

I just read that story as well. I didn't know that the Flyers made it official with Tocchet! LOL

From what Taylor Haase has been saying, Tocchet was never a strong contender for the Penguins position because out of all the names being mentioned, Tocchet is the only one that has zero true development experience. Yes, he may have done some individual work with players as an assistant here, but he hasn't had a role where his main focus is to develop players like a Junior or AHL level coach has.

[KBone]

Bannister did nothing special with his time with the Blues.

[FLPensFan]

Bannister did nothing special with his time with the Blues.

I'm not overly impressed with Bannister either, but apparently likes him. I don't know if Dubas likes him, or "likes" him because Bannister both played for and was head coach of the OHL SooGreyhounds.

[KG]

Caps eliminated. Maybe we get some more Love news now.

[BigMcK]

So surprised that the dark horse candidate isn't represented on the poll. No luv for PEEEAIRE?

Bored, old school board material.

Man do I miss Penguins playoff hockey.

[Puck-Lurker]

So surprised that the dark horse candidate isn't represented on the poll. No luv for PEEEAIRE?

Bored, old school board material.

Man do I miss Penguins playoff hockey.

Could be worse.. the Leafs looking at another 2nd round exit with no hopes of getting a cup. Again. Regular season heroes, like the Caps.

[FLPensFan]

So surprised that the dark horse candidate isn't represented on the poll. No luv for PEEEAIRE?

Bored, old school board material.

Man do I miss Penguins playoff hockey.

Could be worse.. the Leafs looking at another 2nd round exit with no hopes of getting a cup. Again. Regular season heroes, like the Caps.

Leafs fans are still probably trying to blame Dubas for another playoff exit upcoming.

[DeHaven162]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

I just read that story as well. I didn't know that the Flyers made it official with Tocchet! LOL

From what Taylor Haase has been saying, Tocchet was never a strong contender for the Penguins position because out of all the names being mentioned, Tocchet is the only one that has zero true development experience. Yes, he may have done some individual work with players as an assistant here, but he hasn't had a role where his main focus is to develop players like a Junior or AHL level coach has.

I don't understand the Tocchet love. Seems like being a well liked guy is carrying him. He's had such limited success as an NHL coach. As FLP mentioned, not known as a development coach, and per the "insiders" wasn't really interested in a developmental gig like the Penguins anyways, because he wants to win now...if a team wants to win now, why would they hire Tocchet? He's been to the playoffs twice in his 8.5 years as an NHL head coach, and one of those years was the COVID year, when 24 teams made the playoffs.

And then, if Tocchet wanted to go somewhere to win soon, your choice is the Flyers? The Flyers have stunk for years, and are no further along in making a comeback than the Penguins are.

Great Penguin player, great Penguins assistant coach, but glad there was never much consideration to bring him in this time around.

[Antonio]

Think tocchet fills a good role as an assistant but his HC resume isn't impressive. I don't think he's the worst HC choice there is for sure but still..

[Victor]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

I just read that story as well. I didn't know that the Flyers made it official with Tocchet! LOL

From what Taylor Haase has been saying, Tocchet was never a strong contender for the Penguins position because out of all the names being mentioned, Tocchet is the only one that has zero true development experience. Yes, he may have done some individual work with players as an assistant here, but he hasn't had a role where his main focus is to develop players like a Junior or AHL level coach has.

I don't understand the Tocchet love. Seems like being a well liked guy is carrying him. He's had such limited success as an NHL coach. As FLP mentioned, not known as a development coach, and per the "insiders" wasn't really interested in a developmental gig like the Penguins anyways, because he wants to win now...if a team wants to win now, why would they hire Tocchet? He's been to the playoffs twice in his 8.5 years as an NHL head coach, and one of those years was the COVID year, when 24 teams made the playoffs.

And then, if Tocchet wanted to go somewhere to win soon, your choice is the Flyers? The Flyers have stunk for years, and are no further along in making a comeback than the Penguins are.

Great Penguin player, great Penguins assistant coach, but glad there was never much consideration to bring him in this time around.

Flyers with Tocchet could see some kind of a Tortorella effect in year 1 and improve their record only to see everything implode in year 2 and beyond. Just like happened with Tocchet and the Canucks this season, after having 50 wins the year before. As a Penguins fan, I'm happy with their choice.

[DeHaven162]

Just read Yohe's article updating what he's hearing on the coaching search.

Made it seem like if there was a "favorite" through the process so far, it's Mitch Love. Heard he had a really impressive interview. Also mentioned Drew Bannister as a name who is drawing interest from the Penguins.

I just read that story as well. I didn't know that the Flyers made it official with Tocchet! LOL

From what Taylor Haase has been saying, Tocchet was never a strong contender for the Penguins position because out of all the names being mentioned, Tocchet is the only one that has zero true development experience. Yes, he may have done some individual work with players as an assistant here, but he hasn't had a role where his main focus is to develop players like a Junior or AHL level coach has.

I don't understand the Tocchet love. Seems like being a well liked guy is carrying him. He's had such limited success as an NHL coach. As FLP mentioned, not known as a development coach, and per the "insiders" wasn't really interested in a developmental gig like the Penguins anyways, because he wants to win now...if a team wants to win now, why would they hire Tocchet? He's been to the playoffs twice in his 8.5 years as an NHL head coach, and one of those years was the COVID year, when 24 teams made the playoffs.

And then, if Tocchet wanted to go somewhere to win soon, your choice is the Flyers? The Flyers have stunk for years, and are no further along in making a comeback than the Penguins are.

Great Penguin player, great Penguins assistant coach, but glad there was never much consideration to bring him in this time around.

Flyers with Tocchet could see some kind of a Tortorella effect in year 1 and improve their record only to see everything implode in year 2 and beyond. Just like happened with Tocchet and the Canucks this season, after having 50 wins the year before. As a Penguins fan, I'm happy with their choice.

The Flyers love to have alumni come back in management/leadership roles. They love bringing back former Flyers. Only issue with that.....the Flyers haven't won a darn thing in 50 years! Love it!

[Pitts]

Think tocchet fills a good role as an assistant but his HC resume isn't impressive. I don't think he's the worst HC choice there is for sure but still..

I agree with this assessment. My obsession with Tocchet goes back to his playing days. Never seen more of a warrior play the game! Still remember the game after he broke his jaw, Comes out next game with a plastic cage on and gets into another fight! Dude was a beast.

[Pens4Life]

I hope we get a deal done soon now with either Love or Woodcroft. It seems DJ Smith ,Leach are among candidates as well.

[FLPensFan]

Think tocchet fills a good role as an assistant but his HC resume isn't impressive. I don't think he's the worst HC choice there is for sure but still..

I agree with this assessment. My obsession with Tocchet goes back to his playing days. Never seen more of a warrior play the game! Still remember the game after he broke his jaw, Comes out next game with a plastic cage on and gets into another fight! Dude was a beast.

I met Tocchet 1 time at a Pirates game, right before the 92 playoffs. I was leaving with a bunch of friends, and there was a small crowd of people gathered in the concourse around this one section behind home plate. Usher told us Tocchet and Stevens were down there, and oddly enough, he kept letting people go down to them.

I'm sure I was probably the 50th person or so that went and asked for an autograph. Stevens was grumpy (might have been around the time the coke started), but Tocchet was cool. Not sure if I still have my Pirate game ticket stub that they signed.

The original broken jaw contraption...

Spoiler:

[KG]

Lebrun tweeted that Jeff Blashill is a contender for the Hawks job. That would be another hire that I don’t have interest in for the Pens job. He speculates the Hawks could hire someone within 7-10 days.

Dubas does seem to have a lot of solid candidates to pick from.

[KG]

Freidman saying Love is high on our list. Also interviewed many others including Woodcroft, DJ Smith, Jay Leach, Quinn etc.

[DeHaven162]

Lebrun tweeted that Jeff Blashill is a contender for the Hawks job. That would be another hire that I don’t have interest in for the Pens job. He speculates the Hawks could hire someone within 7-10 days.

Dubas does seem to have a lot of solid candidates to pick from.

Bucci making it seem like Blashill to Chicago is done deal.

[Puck-Lurker]

I think we're leaving out a very important name..

If we didn't have Sullivan we would be looking to hire Sullivan.

We don't have Sullivan.

We should try to get him back?

[Daniel]

I think we're leaving out a very important name..

If we didn't have Sullivan we would be looking to hire Sullivan.

We don't have Sullivan.

We should try to get him back?

Steve Sullivan?