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Penguins Legend Mark Recchi Supports Kyle Dubas' Coaching Search Plan
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mark Recchi is voicing his thoughts on general manager Kyle Dubas' approach to selecting a new Pittsburgh head coach.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of multiple NHL clubs looking for a new head coach after the decision was made by GM Kyle Dubas not to retain Mike Sullivan after nearly 10 full years on the job.
Dubas decided that, after Pittsburgh's 3rd straight year without the playoffs that it was time for a change, despite Sullivan having previously led the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup wins.
One of the top candidates for the position, per multiple reports, is Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love, amongst others.
In the meantime, Dubas' strategy is something that former Penguins forward Mark Recchi says that he is in complete lockstep with during a recent appearance on the 'Breakfast With Benz' podcast.
If you look at the history of college coaches or junior coaches that come into the next level, it really hasn't worked out very well for many of them. I would say it has to be somebody that's either been an AHL head coach at the pro level and has handled pro players - or an assistant coach that can communicate.
Recchi is a Hall of Famer and a 3-time Stanley Cup champion, including one with the Penguins in 1991.
He also later worked for the Penguins as an assistant coach from 2014 through 2020.
Since Sullivan was dismissed from the Penguins, he's gone on to find new employment with the New York Rangers.
In addition to searching for Pittsburgh's new head coach, Dubas is overseas managing the Canadian squad, which includes Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, in the ongoing 2025 IIHF World Championship.
| POLL | ||
MAI 20 | 138 ANSWERS Penguins Legend Mark Recchi Supports Kyle Dubas' Coaching Search Plan Do you agree with Mark Recchi? | ||
| Yes | 85 | 61.6 % |
| No | 53 | 38.4 % |
| List of polls | ||