What I’m hearing about Penguins’ first coaching search in a decade

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Once upon a time, coaching searches were practically an annual event for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Then Dan Bylsma and Mike Sullivan gave the franchise serious stability — that little 18 months of Mike Johnston notwithstanding — since 2009.

However, a new era has arrived, and it needs a new coach.

Kyle Dubas’ search for a head coach isn’t likely to be quick. Remember, the Penguins president and general manager will be in Sweden for most of May because he’s Team Canada’s GM at the World Championship. So, you can expect this process to take some time.

Here’s what I’m hearing about the search so far:

• There are a few reasons for the expected slower pace here.

Logistically speaking, Dubas wants to meet with candidates in person if possible. That’s difficult when you’re in Stockholm. Expect Dubas to meet with potential coaches before and after Worlds. It wouldn’t surprise me if this search takes as long as a month.

Sweden logistics aside, remember, this wasn’t the plan a few weeks ago. Some general managers knew for months that they’d fire their head coach, so they had a head start on analyzing candidates. Dubas acknowledged on Monday that he knew moving on from Sullivan was possible. Still, it wasn’t a given, so the Penguins are a little behind in preparation.

I also don’t sense the Penguins have one can’t-miss target. Many teams know precisely which coach they want to hire. See Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers. Dubas wants to interview candidates from different coaching backgrounds. That, of course, takes time.

• One of the first names mentioned in connection with the Penguins’ opening was Rick Tocchet.

That makes perfect sense.

Tocchet is highly regarded around the NHL. He has an obvious and strong Pittsburgh connection, winning the Stanley Cup here as a player and twice as an assistant coach. Sidney Crosby also has a very close relationship with Tocchet and a healthy respect for him. Tocchet is one of Crosby’s favorite people in hockey.

Tocchet is popular everywhere. He might be the only person beloved in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It’s not a particularly well-guarded secret that the Philadelphia Flyers are very interested in the former Flyers captain becoming their next head coach. A league source said that if Tocchet wants the job in Philadelphia, it’s his. He’s the Flyers’ No. 1 target and has been for quite some time.

Tocchet has great affection for Philadelphia and prefers to be back in the Eastern Conference after coaching the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference. So, does he end up in Philadelphia? It’s in play.

If Dubas wants to talk with Tocchet, though, the coach would listen. Tocchet, league sources say, likes Dubas quite a bit. The two were on Team Canada’s staff at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Tocchet was Dubas’ first choice to coach Canada in the World Championship this spring. Tocchet turned down the offer because he was stuck in the drama of his decision to depart Vancouver despite a very hefty contract offer from Canucks president Jim Rutherford.

In the end, Dubas and Sullivan had different visions for where the Penguins are headed and when. This wouldn’t necessarily prevent Tocchet from taking the job, even though he and Sullivan are very close. Tocchet isn’t interested in a lengthy rebuild. Then again, Dubas often says he’s working “urgently” to turn the Penguins into a Stanley Cup contender again.

Bottom line: The Flyers want Tocchet, and there’s a real chance he ends up in Philadelphia. But the power of Pittsburgh and Crosby is real. I believe he would strongly consider an offer if given one.

• Many people assume Dubas will hire a young coach. He’s often viewed as an analytically savvy manager who won’t bring in a recycled coach.

Maybe, maybe not.

Dubas said on Monday that he’s open to the idea of coaches from varying backgrounds. My league sources have indicated that this is very much the case.

• One thing I wonder about is how Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang would react to playing for a coach who doesn’t have any NHL coaching experience.

Oh, you might say it doesn’t matter — that the future is the only thing that does. I hear you. But we’re talking about the Penguins. Their franchise icons’ feelings matter.

Besides, who’s to say Crosby won’t be part of the future? I realize he’s 37, but he might play for another five years if his health cooperates. That’s worth consideration. Johnston never had NHL coaching experience, and it showed. It’s fair to say the Big Three never completely bought into what he was selling, and his lack of NHL coaching experience didn’t help.

Will the Big Three be OK with playing for a 34-year-old with no NHL experience? I’m not sure about that. You might say it’s no big deal, but if a coach loses those three before the season even begins, that would be a massive problem for the Penguins in the short and long term.

Dubas will hire his preferred coach, but he’s not ignorant. The future is the primary concern, but some very influential veterans are still here.

• The Penguins very politely said that Sullivan and the team agreed mutually to part ways.

I wouldn’t say Sullivan was fired, but I also wouldn’t say it was entirely mutual. If it were up to Sullivan, I don’t believe he would have left Pittsburgh under any circumstances.

• Rutherford was devastated that Tocchet decided to leave Vancouver. When Rutherford believes in a coach, he never lets him go. He believed in Tocchet, much as he did Sullivan.

• Team sources said the Penguins have an interest in Drew Bannister. His recent stint behind the Blues bench lasted less than a year, but Dubas likes him.

For good measure, Bannister played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and won the Memorial Cup there in 1993. If you know anything about Dubas, you know his connection to his hometown runs deep.

(Photo of Rick Tocchet: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

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