Top 5 Candidates to Replace Mike Sullivan as Penguins Head Coach

14 hours ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

For the first time in a decade, the Pittsburgh Penguins are searching for a new head coach. Mike Sullivan, the franchise’s all-time winningest coach (409-255-89) and a two-time Stanley Cup champion, was let go Monday by president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, who aims to hire a replacement by June.Sullivan’s departure leaves massive shoes to fill, following a line of coaches that includes Eddie Olczyk, Michel Therrien, Dan Bylsma, and Mike Johnston. Here are five potential candidates to take over behind the Penguins’ bench:1. Joel Quenneville – The Proven WinnerThe three-time Stanley Cup champion (Chicago Blackhawks) is the most decorated coach available. Quenneville, second all-time in wins (969), last coached Florida before resigning in 2021 amid the Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal. Though reinstated by the NHL in 2024, his hiring would require league approval.2. Peter Laviolette – The Experienced LeaderA Stanley Cup winner with Carolina (2006), Laviolette has 846 career wins (7th all-time). Recently fired by the Rangers, he has ties to Pittsburgh’s organization, having coached the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers in 1997-98. His track record of turning teams into contenders makes him a strong candidate.3. John Tortorella – The Hard-Nosed OptionA Cup winner with Tampa Bay (2004) and two-time Jack Adams Award recipient, Tortorella brings intensity and structure. Despite a rocky end in Philadelphia, his 770 career wins (9th all-time) and ability to maximize rosters could appeal to the Penguins.4. Rick Tocchet – The Familiar ChoiceCurrently with Vancouver, Tocchet—a former Penguins assistant during their back-to-back Cup runs—has a strong connection to the organization. Though the Canucks missed the playoffs, his leadership and familiarity with Pittsburgh’s core could make him a seamless fit.5. David Carle – The Rising StarAt just 35, Denver University’s head coach is one of hockey’s brightest young minds. With two NCAA titles and a World Junior gold medal (2024), Carle’s innovative approach could inject new energy into the Penguins’ aging roster.Whoever lands the job will inherit a team in transition—one with championship pedigree but in need of a fresh direction. Will Pittsburgh opt for experience or take a chance on the next generation? The decision could shape the franchise’s future.Image - Charles LeClaire-Imagn...

Read Full Article.