Pens New Head Coach Thread

[Pruezy11881]

Washington did it the right way. Still mad about the Jakob Chychrun deal. I really wanted the Pens to try and get him when he was available. He has played phenomenal for the Caps

I've said it before, but things might have gone a lot differently for this team if:

--Hextall ponied up for Chychrun; he was what the team really needed, not Karlsson
--Hextall let Kapanen walk
--Penguins kept ERod
--Penguins signed Strome; again, he was more of what the team needed...a solid 3C with more upside and some physicality
--Penguins went after Sam Bennett instead of Jeff Carter; again, Bennett had much more potential upside than an aging Carter
--Penguins went after Brandon Montour....imagine a defense with Chychrun-Letang, Pettersson-Montour as your top 4.

Chychrun is the only guy that would have cost us a 1st. Bennett and Montour went for 2nd round picks in different years. ERod was free to sign, Strome was free to sign.

Around the same time you were pushing/hoping the Pens would trade for Bennett, you were also doing the same for Reinhart...

[Maestro]

I wonder if a new coach will suspend the need to trade Graves and Jarry.

I think Graves is an ideal candidate to bounce back, especially if Love is the coach since he's known as a bit of a d-man whisperer (At least according to google AI ).

A new coach should know rather quickly if Graves is going to have a chance in their system, or struggle in it like he did in the Sullivan system.

EDIT: Adding something that Graves said to Taylor Haase during locker cleanout day, around his play and the system:

"We play fast," he said. "Like, sometimes, your outs are 30-40, feet away, whereas in Jersey, they were like five, six, seven, feet away. Everything was tight. I struggled in the difference in systems. And then once you lose your confidence, it can spiral. So it's been a process to get it back, and I'll keep working on it."

I don't think a coaching system can save Jarry. He needs to take accountability. A better defense in front of him may mask some issues, but he needs to figure it out. Or...he is who we thought he was.

Agreed. I didn't want to kick a guy when he's down. But that Graves quote is great. It's about 7 years past time for a different system.

[bse]

Greg Cronin is now available. He has two years under his belt for developing a young team in the NHL. That's invaluable.

And what about Mike Hastings? He makes a lot of sense as well.

Anyway, I got a joker for you: Andy Murray is no longer at Western Michigan. Would he be interested in an assistant role?

I think Tocchet will go to Philadelphia and Sacco remain in Boston.


Ps. What I did not know until now is that Todd Nelson was drafted by Pittsburgh and played in one NHL game.

[dark_forces]

Greg Cronin is now available. He has two years under his belt for developing a young team in the NHL. That's invaluable.

And what about Mike Hastings? He makes a lot of sense as well.

Anyway, I got a joker for you: Andy Murray is no longer at Western Michigan. Would he be interested in an assistant role?

I think Tocchet will go to Philadelphia and Sacco remain in Boston.


Ps. What I did not know until now is that Todd Nelson was drafted by Pittsburgh and played in one NHL game.

It’s getting close to prediction time. Or, at least, top 3 choices narrowing down time. Not necessarily who you would hire, but who you think Dubas & Co. could realistically hire.

My top 3 are:
Bannister, Nelson, Blashill.

[Daniel]

Greg Cronin is now available. He has two years under his belt for developing a young team in the NHL. That's invaluable.

And what about Mike Hastings? He makes a lot of sense as well.

Anyway, I got a joker for you: Andy Murray is no longer at Western Michigan. Would he be interested in an assistant role?

I think Tocchet will go to Philadelphia and Sacco remain in Boston.


Ps. What I did not know until now is that Todd Nelson was drafted by Pittsburgh and played in one NHL game.

Kevin's brother? He wouldn't stop the feeling if he got hired.

[bse]

This guy. One of the most respected "self-made" hockey coaches in American hockey outside the pros:

https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2022molymikehastings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hast ... ce_hockey)

He is currently coaching Wisconsin Badgers. Kind of like new Badger Bob.

[FLPensFan]

Greg Cronin is now available. He has two years under his belt for developing a young team in the NHL. That's invaluable.

And what about Mike Hastings? He makes a lot of sense as well.

Anyway, I got a joker for you: Andy Murray is no longer at Western Michigan. Would he be interested in an assistant role?

I think Tocchet will go to Philadelphia and Sacco remain in Boston.


Ps. What I did not know until now is that Todd Nelson was drafted by Pittsburgh and played in one NHL game.

It’s getting close to prediction time. Or, at least, top 3 choices narrowing down time. Not necessarily who you would hire, but who you think Dubas & Co. could realistically hire.

My top 3 are:
Bannister, Nelson, Blashill.

My top 3 are probably: Love, Hallam, and Nelson. I'd also say keep an eye on Drew Bannister and John Dean. Bannister was coach of the Soo as Dubas exited the team, and Dean is the current coach.

[KG]

Freidman on his pod talked about the Pens coaching position. He said this going to be a job that you can grow into and won't have pressure to win in the near future. Said it's a rebuild...Looking for our Carberry.

He think that a young, first time head coach is more than likely to get the gig. He also said someone who is a coach said it's a job to experiment and try things. Sounds like we will be going the younger route.

[Skatingpen]

As long as the new coach is 6’2” and plays a heavy game. We need more size behind the bench.

[Gunnerfan]

As long as the new coach is 6’2” and plays a heavy game. We need more size behind the bench.

Sullivan was 6'2"... Just saying

[Puck-Lurker]

As long as the new coach is 6’2” and plays a heavy game. We need more size behind the bench.

Sullivan was 6'2"... Just saying

He didn't get to his game. Didn't play the game the right way and was easy to play against.

Something something American swagger.

[KG]

Friedman on NHL network said that Vancouver along with the Pens have interviewed Mitch Love. It is informal still since Washington is still in the playoffs.

Also says Tocchet is the favorite to land in Philly.

[FLPensFan]

Media reporting Vancouver coaching job is down to two candidates, Manny Malhotra or Adam Foote.

[FLPensFan]

[KG]

Tocchet going to the Flyers. 5 years $25mill. Glad the Pens didn’t actively go after him.

[dark_forces]

Tocchet going to the Flyers. 5 years $25mill. Glad the Pens didn’t actively go after him.

This makes sense and seems like this was destined to happen.
I read that Pittsburgh was never seriously interested in Tocchet.

[KG]

Adam Foote gets the Canucks HC gig. Surprising.

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

[dark_forces]

Adam Foote gets the Canucks HC gig. Surprising.

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

Among other candidates, I read somewhere that the Pens are interested in Manny Malhotra who was one of two finalists (with Foote) for the Canucks job.

[KG]

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.

[Daniel]

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?

[FLPensFan]

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?

Missed playoffs 5 straight seasons.
In the last 7 seasons, they have drafted in the top ten 5 times.
Over the past 5 years, while SJ has 10 less points, Chicago has more total losses.
Their prospect pool was ranked 4th by the Athletic, however,
--potential 1st pairing d-man in Levshunov
--top 6 winger in Nazar
--2nd pairing d-man in Korchinski
--a top 6 d-man in Rinzel
--the rest are all 3rd line type of upside.

They still need another solid center. They don't have a game breaking winger. They need to hope that Spencer Knight is the long-term solution in goal. To really push themselves forward...throw big money at Marner and pickup 1 or 2 solid d-men to fill in until Levshunov hits his potential.

[Daniel]

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?

Missed playoffs 5 straight seasons.
In the last 7 seasons, they have drafted in the top ten 5 times.
Over the past 5 years, while SJ has 10 less points, Chicago has more total losses.
Their prospect pool was ranked 4th by the Athletic, however,
--potential 1st pairing d-man in Levshunov
--top 6 winger in Nazar
--2nd pairing d-man in Korchinski
--a top 6 d-man in Rinzel
--the rest are all 3rd line type of upside.

They still need another solid center. They don't have a game breaking winger. They need to hope that Spencer Knight is the long-term solution in goal. To really push themselves forward...throw big money at Marner and pickup 1 or 2 solid d-men to fill in until Levshunov hits his potential.

Sounds like they're close then, few players and a good coach. Looking at the mock draft having them taking Martone, if a team loves Martone and close enough to 3 (Utah, Philly, Nashville, maybe Boston), I wonder if Chi trades down to add more capital and get one of the top centers.

Chicago gets Desnoyers, signs Bennett, another good pick at 29 and they might compete pretty soon.

[dark_forces]

I'm refining the big list to include people based on recent news cycles and ones we know they've spoken with and/or more serious about.

- Malhotra (I've seen this name pop up recently in a few articles + Vancouver had strong interest)
- Todd Nelson (been mentioned a lot before and I would imagine remains a consideration)
- Mitch Love (reportedly he's already had a video interview)
- DJ Smith (evidently he's already been spoken with and there's a clear connection)
- Woodcroft (apparently the Bruins have also spoken with him, and my sense is so has Pittsburgh)
- Sam Hallam (this makes too much sense with Dubas in Sweden)
- D. Quinn (not an inspired choice, but apparently a few in the organization are pulling for him)
- D. Bannister (his name appears enough to make me think there's at least interest)

[KG]

Pagnotta from the Fourth Period saying we’ve interviewed DJ Smith.

Could see him as a decent candidate. Coached a young Ottawa team during their retooling time. He was also an assistant coach with Dubas in Toronto from 2015-19.

[BigMcK]

I wonder how a interview for a head coach is structured. Do you meet via a virtual interview with some minor management member of the team, then if you pass that, you are escalated to that person's manager, and so on, until you are sitting in front of the GM's manager?

Maybe some general questioning of how you make an impact on a team of professionals? How do you influence young players? Out of anger, have you ever threatened to break a stick over a players head? How long of a leash is used on a young player before they are eating chips and cheese?

From a young coach without a history of managing at the professional level, how do you get across to the interviewing party that you can handle a locker room of of various talent and age?