Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA

Concern Reportedly Growing That Penguins Head Coaching Position is Undesirable


PUBLICATION
Tom Banks
May 8, 2025  (10:18)
SHARE THIS STORY

The Pittsburgh Penguins.
Photo credit: All About The Jersey

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in need of a new Head Coach, but at this point, questions have been raised over how desirable this role truly remains.

Over the past two decades, there's been no team more consistent than the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang making them a prime destination for coaches and free agents.
In the past 10 years, it's been Mike Sullivan behind the bench, helping lead this team to two Stanley Cup victories, but after the team moved on from him this summer, they've got to find a new Head Coach for the first time in a long time.
On paper, the opportunity to coach Sidney Crosby is one that every coach would theoretically jump at, but with Crosby at 37-years of age and the core struggling to carry this team, the question has now been asked: is the job in Pittsburgh now considered undesirable?
While there are positives such as Sidney Crosby, a team that's been incredibly consistent and successful since the 1990's, as well as a dedicated loyal fan base, there are just as many negatives as there are positives.
In his latest piece for The Athletic, Josh Yohe has pointed out all the things that may hold the team back from landing a coach like Rick Tocchet, and instead, it may force them to go younger and more inexperienced, something that may not suit this ageing core.
Those include a lack of top level prospects beyond the two that debuted this season (McGroarty, Koivunen), Crosby nearing the end of his career, prospects being a long way from panning out, struggling goaltending and some average veterans that haven't been unloaded yet.
Ultimately, the price this team can pay for a coach may lure one of the top names to Pittsburgh, but beyond that, it's not one of the best jobs available, so don't be surprised to see Kyle Dubas bring in a first time Head Coach for this role.
POLL
MAI 8   |   165 ANSWERS
Concern Reportedly Growing That Penguins Head Coaching Position is Undesirable

Will we see a big name coach end up with the Pittsburgh Penguins this off-season?

Yes8350.3 %
No8249.7 %
List of polls

HOCKEYUNPLUGGED
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT