The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively pursuing a new head coach, marking the first major coaching shift for the franchise in a decade. As their search unfolds, two candidates have emerged as frontrunners: Mitch Love, an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals, and D.J. Smith, the former head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
Mitch Love has been with the Capitals for the past two seasons, after leading Calgary’s AHL team for two years prior. He has a wealth of experience in junior hockey, notably coaching Team Canada to several gold medal victories at prestigious tournaments, including the U17 World Hockey Championship and the World Junior Championship. Love’s impressive track record includes back-to-back AHL ‘Coach of the Year’ awards for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. His promotion to head coach would be a swift recognition of his capabilities, following a season where he aided a Pittsburgh rival through the playoffs.
On the other hand, D.J. Smith presents a compelling option with a more extensive NHL coaching history. After being dismissed from the Senators in 2023, he joined the Los Angeles Kings as an assistant coach. His tenure with the Senators saw him achieve a record of 131 wins, 154 losses, and 32 overtime or shootout losses over four years. Smith’s six years of experience as an NHL assistant coach, primarily with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Kings, enhances his candidacy significantly.
Both candidates bring unique strengths to the table, which could resonate differently with the Penguins as they seek to revitalize their coaching strategy.
Other updates from the Metropolitan Division include potential shifts and changes in various teams, as the competitive landscape in the NHL continues to evolve. The Penguins’ coaching decision will be closely watched, as it may set the tone for their future direction and aspirations in the league.
This development opens a promising chapter for the Penguins, who aim to rejuvenate their strategy to ensure they are competitive in the upcoming seasons.