It looks like Ray Shero and the New Jersey Devils are about to raid the Penguins organization for the next Devils head coach.
Certainly appears as if PIT's AHL coach John Hynes is the likely leading candidate to be next head coach in NJ. Nothing official, mind you.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 1, 2015
If Hynes and NJ finalize an agreement, NJ will have to provide draft pick compensation to PIT.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 1, 2015
When a team (say NJ) ask for permission from another club (say PIT), 1st club basically agrees in principle to pay compensation to 2nd club.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 1, 2015
McKenzie also pointed out that New Jersey has 3 third round picks in 2016, exactly like the Buffalo Sabres who had 3 in that year and will give 1 to PIttsburgh for hiring Dan Bylsma last week.
This is probably a good thing for the Penguins in the big scheme of things, even if things went south with Mike Johnston it would seem unlikely for them to hire Hynes - who while well regarded has no NHL experience. If Johnston doesn't work out, Pittsburgh probably would seek a head coach with at least a track record of NHL success.
That said, check out the job Hynes has done in Wilkes-Barre.
About Hynes - here is a look at the award that goes to the AHL goalies with the lowest GAA each season: pic.twitter.com/zGB3LKxaHO
— m g (@kikkerlaika) June 1, 2015
That's some great results in goals against, regardless of which goalie is on the team in a given year. Hynes has a great system, a nice structure and it will be very interesting to see how he translates that to the NHL.
With Hynes close to landing a job and Bylsma back, that will make a total of 5 current NHL head coaches who spent time in Wilkes-Barre (joining Michel Therrien, Mike Yeo and Todd Richards). Not bad, at all.
Hopefully that helps the Penguins in recruiting their next head coach. We would love to see former Johnston assistant Travis Green, but being as he is the head guy in Utica and has steered them to the Calder Cup finals, the timing probably won't work out too well. No reason for him to jump ship at this point.