Penguins’ Coaching Search: Sidney Crosby Offers Insights on Future Direction
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ search for a new coach has been a major talking point in the NHL, with the team parting ways with Mike Sullivan after 10 years at the helm. Captain Sidney Crosby, who has a long-standing relationship with Sullivan, has spoken out about the coaching change and his role in the search for a replacement.
According to a report by The Athletic, Crosby expressed his understanding of the situation, stating, "I wouldn’t say I’m surprised by anything that happened, to be honest. I understand it. I’ve played long enough now to know that there’s always going to be … some kind of change, when you don’t get the results that you want." The Athletic also reported that Crosby has a strong bond with Sullivan, praising his contributions to the team over the past decade.
Crosby, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, has made it clear that he will not be playing a prominent role in determining the next Penguins coach. When asked if he could influence the decision, he responded tersely, "No." The Athletic noted that Crosby repeated his stance, stating, "Nope." This decision to stay out of the coaching search is deliberate, with Crosby stating, "I don’t have any say on who our next coach is going to be. And I prefer it that way."
In an interview with The Athletic, Crosby explained that his preference is to focus on his role as a player, stating, "Because, ultimately, I’m a hockey player. I’m not out there coaching games. I am not a manager." However, he did indicate that he would be willing to share his opinion with Kyle Dubas, Pittsburgh’s president of hockey operations, if asked.
The The Athletic report also mentioned that Crosby may have been referencing his old assistant coach, Rick Tocchet, as a potential candidate for the Penguins’ coaching position. Tocchet is highly regarded and has been linked to several teams, including the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken.
When asked about Tocchet, Crosby stated, "Yes, that is someone I’m familiar with. But the thing with him is that he’s going to have a ton of teams after him." The Athletic noted that while Crosby is a fan of Tocchet, he is staying out of the coaching search, stating, "It really doesn’t matter. I don’t care. I really don’t. I just want to win, and I want the person behind the bench who is going to give us the best chance to win."
The Penguins’ coaching search is ongoing, with Dubas tasked with finding a replacement for Sullivan. Crosby has expressed confidence in Dubas, stating, "Kyle’s going to have decisions to make. He’s going to do what is best for this team." The Athletic reported that Crosby is currently playing for Team Canada at the World Championship, where he has been performing well.
In conclusion, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ coaching search continues, with Sidney Crosby offering insights into his role in the process and his thoughts on potential candidates. As reported by The Athletic, Crosby has made it clear that he will not be influencing the decision, preferring to focus on his role as a player. The team’s search for a new coach is ongoing, with Kyle Dubas tasked with finding a replacement for Mike Sullivan.
The information in this article was obtained from The Athletic, who provided expert analysis and quotes from Sidney Crosby.
