|
Penguins rumors involving players and coaches |
|
|
|
|
|
Elliotte Friedman’s 31 thoughts had a few Penguins nuggets in it. Some directly related and one indirectly related
14. Jacques Martin, let go in Pittsburgh, could replace Lindy Ruff with the Rangers.
Martin was of course one of the coaching casualties from losing to the 24th seeded Caandiens. It appears he might be staying in the division helping the up and coming New York Rangers who have done a really good job with their retool/rebuild landing both Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere in back to back years.
16. Former Capitals coach Todd Reirden could be on the radar in both Florida and Pittsburgh as an assistant. The Penguins’ connection is obvious (he used to work there), while the Panthers may replace Mike Kitchen, who did not join them in the bubble. (This, of course, is pending any head coaching jobs he pursues.)
Josh Yohe said the following after Reirden was relieved of his duty in Washington
Reirden coached from 2010-11 to 2013-14
2010-11: 25th ranked at 15.8%
2011-12: 5th ranked 19.7%
2012-13: 2nd ranked 24.7%
2013-14: 1st ranked 23.4%
As we know the 2010=11 season was the one both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin missed the entire second half of the season. Mike Sullivan clearly needs help running a power play so it might be worth returning to a coach who has tangible results with both Crosby and Malkin without Phil Kessel.
15. Washington has permission to talk to Peter Laviolette, and he is very much a contender.
Peter Laviolette has direct ties to Jim Rutherford. Washington hiring him would be a good thing. I don't want Laviolette added to the Penguins staffing knowing that would mean he would be the next Penguins Head Coach.
24. Pittsburgh is testing the market on Jared McCann, a surprising healthy scratch in the Montreal series.
I can see McCann wanting a raise due to the first half of his 2019-20 season. I can also see the Penguins going in a different direction because their need is a third line center and it is clear he will not be providing them certainty in that role. The Penguins don’t have the luxury of giving out money to depth players if they aren’t enamored with them. I don’t have a problem moving on from McCann given his inability to be a third line center. The Penguins already have Jake Guentzel and Jason Zucker taking up the top two left wing spots. Money is tight with a flat cap and the Penguins paying Hornqvist (5.3), Tanev (3.5), Johnson (3.25), and Bjugstad (4.1) a lot of money for what they bring. Kapanen’s 3.2M might be added to the list if he doesn’t regain his 2018-19 form.
The Coyotes situation isn’t going to help Matt Murray’s trade value
7. We’ll get to the machinations of that decision shortly, but the penalty means no current selections in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft and no first- or third-rounder in 2021. Expect the Coyotes to try and re-stock that. Even with an active goalie market, Darcy Kuemper is a very attractive piece thanks to his impressive playoff performance.
Kuemper has been great. He’s at a great price. He’s only signed for two years. It is a lot more appealing than dealing with the unknown of both Murray’s new contract and his spotty play lately.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»