If the Pittsburgh Penguins opt to relieve head coach Mike Sullivan of his duties, the lineup of potential candidates would rival the Black Friday lines at Best Buy.
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However, the NHL is a place that loves to recycle rather than buy brand new, which is why it’s so shocking to see a new name head coach land a job considering the veterans waiting on the sideline for their next opportunity.
Of course, some of these people couldn’t cut it in the league, and others have opted to retire or have run into trouble, making any future hires quite questionable.
So, with all those factors in mind, we want to look at the top five candidates to take over the Penguins and be responsible for sending Sidney Crosby into the sunset as a champion.
5 Possible Replacements For Penguins’ Mike Sullivan
5. Todd McLellan
Todd McLellan is a veteran coach who found regular-season success with the San Jose Sharks early in his career.
Interestingly, after 16 seasons as an NHL head coach, he’s never led a team outside of the Pacific Division, meaning if he came to Pittsburgh, it would be a shift from the norm.
After 1,144 games, McLellan’s record is 598-412-134, and he’s experienced with superstars like Joe Thornton, Connor McDavid, and Anze Kopitar.
4. Dave Hakstol
Whether fans love or dislike the idea, teams recycle recently dismissed coaches from other teams when an NHL head coaching job is available.
This means the former Seattle Kraken bench boss has a decent shot at getting an interview in Pittsburgh should an opening occur.
In seven seasons, his teams are 241-213-69 with only three playoff appearances.
3. Gerard Gallant
Anytime there’s a possibility of a coaching change in the NHL, Gerard Gallant’s name is always in the mix.
After leading the expansion Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final, he went to Broadway, where he led the New York Rangers to the Eastern Conference Final.
Gallant is a winning coach and former Jack Adams Award recipient with a 369-262-4 record.
2. David Quinn
The Penguins hired David Quinn to run the power play in the summer of 2024. Quinn is a close friend of Sullivan, and the two will be at the helm of the United States team at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-off.
Meanwhile, Quinn was the coach behind Erik Karlsson’s 101-point season two years ago, so could the duo capture lightning in a bottle twice?
Although this play seems logical, how awkward would it be for Sullivan and Quinn to work together in February if one replaces the other in October or November?
1. Jay Woodcroft
Jay Woodcroft has only coached at the NHL level with the Edmonton Oilers, but at 48, he is one of the youngest candidates out there with NHL experience.
In parts of three seasons, he compiled a 79-41-13 record, good enough for a .643 points percentage, one of the top marks in the franchise’s history. Woodcroft hasn’t coached in the league since November 2023.
Related: At What Point Do Penguins Replace Sullivan?
Related: Where is Tristan Jarry?
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