Its back to the drawing board when it comes to the Penguins coaching search.
After multiple reports identified AHL coach Willie Desjardins as GM Jim Rutherford’s pick to take over head coaching duties for the Pens, it now looks as if Rutherford will have to look at different options.
Desjardins, most recently the coach of the Calder Cup winning Texas Stars, has a track record of winning at every stop during his coaching career. Certainly not a household name, the 57-year-old Desjardins spent two years as the associate head coach of the Dallas Stars before taking over as the head coach of their AHL affiliate in 2012.
Though various rumors are circulating as to why Desjardins went from the next Pens head coach to no longer a candidate, there are now strong indications Desjardins will be the next head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
Regardless of the reasons, this would be a blow to a team who was generally considered one of the premier franchises in the league. Suddenly, a relative unknown with no NHL head coaching experience turns down the chance to lead a team with a roster that includes Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby?
I understand Vancouver is a beautiful destination and all, but Desjardins turns down the Penguins job for a franchise in the process of what looks to be a total rebuild?
Not good. Not good at all.
Now the question becomes an obvious one. If not Desjardins, then who?
Former Penguins defenseman and current Rangers assistant Ulf Samuelsson is one of the leading candidates, but is he ready to take on a head coaching role? Its hard not to notice that the Rangers defensive group flourished with the help of Samuelsson, and that is certainly something the Pens could use considering the very real possibility a number of young defenseman will be asked to play prominent roles in the near future.
One of those defenseman is none other than Phillip Samuelsson, who happens to by Ulf’s son. Certainly an intriguing dynamic.
Another former Penguin standout, Rick Tocchet has also been rumored to be a candidate for the job. Much like Samuelsson, Tocchet was known for his hard nosed style as a player and that type of attitude from the bench might be a welcome addition.
Tocchet has experience as an assistant in Colorado, Phoenix, and Tampa Bay, where he was the associate head coach along with taking over the head coaching duties when the Lightning fired Barry Melrose in 2008. The Lightning went 53-69-26 under Tocchet before he was eventually fired in 2010.
Though it can certainly be argued the Lightning were not as talented as the current Pens roster, Tocchet’s losing record in Tampa has to raise some concerns.
It is also possible the Penguins will go with a candidate with more NHL coaching experience. Though going the “retread” route is somewhat risky and underwhelming to some, the most recent Stanley Cup Final had two examples that it can work successfully. Both the Rangers Alain Vignault and the Kings Daryl Sutter failed in other jobs along the way before leading their teams to the final this season.
If the Pens go that route, Marc Crawford, who coached the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 1996 and had tenures in Vancouver, Dallas and Los Angeles, might be the choice.
Ron Wilson could be another possibility. Like Crawford, Wilson has been well traveled, with stops in Anaheim, Washington, San Jose, and Toronto during his coaching career. Also like Crawford, Wison’s success has a coach is paralleled with a number of failures, and subsequent firings.
Considering guys like Crawford and Wilson makes one ask if either is a significant upgrade from Dan Bylsma?
I’m not sold either coach would be.
The final candidate that has garnered serious consideration is John Hynes, head coach of the Pens AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Though Hynes lacks the experience compared to his AHL counterpart Desjardins, its hard to deny Hynes successful tenure at WBS.
If I am in Rutherford’s shoes, I ignore Hyne’s ties to former GM Ray Shero and take another hard look at him as the next coach of the Pens. The 39-year-old Hynes may lack NHL experience, he has a working relationship with many of the current players on the Pens roster, and could help many of the younger players who will be relied on to play significant roles in the coming seasons.
Also, if Rutherford indeed plans on handing the GM duties to Jason Botterill or Bill Guerin, each of them have an excellent relationship with Hynes and think highly of his coaching abilities. This should not be overlooked, and might be another important reason to give Hynes a chance.
Honestly, if Desjardins made sense, why not Hynes?
Rutherford has made it clear that he will not rush to make a decision or stick to his previously stated July 1st deadline to fill the position.
Does that mean other candidates could emerge? Looks like its going to be another interesting week as the ongoing search continues.
