The Pittsburgh Penguins have openings for multiple coaching positions throughout the organization, and the search is underway to fill these roles with top-tier candidates. One notable addition to the pool of available coaches is Sheldon Keefe, who was recently relieved of his duties as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although there are no immediate plans to replace head coach Mike Sullivan, Keefe could be a strong contender for one of the vacant positions. The Penguins are actively seeking a new assistant coach to succeed Todd Reirden, as well as a new head coach for their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
While there are mixed opinions about the likelihood of Keefe joining the Penguins organization, some sources, like Julian McKenzie of the Athletic, suggest that the Penguins could be a top destination for the free-agent coach. McKenzie noted that if Sullivan were to unexpectedly depart, Keefe would be among the top choices for Penguins president Kyle Dubas.
Keefe’s appeal to Dubas stems from their history together with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL, dating back to 2012. Their successful partnership continued in the Maple Leafs organization, where Keefe led the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup victory in 2018, capturing the American Hockey League championship.
Despite receiving interest from other teams, such as the New Jersey Devils, Keefe’s potential hiring within the Penguins organization may seem uncertain. However, the strong connection between Dubas and Keefe suggests that anything is possible in the world of hockey.
