NHL Coaching Carousel Now Down To Penguins, Bruins

by May 30, 2025

written by May 30, 2025

NHL Coaching Carousel Now Down To Penguins, Bruins

After two tumultuous months, the NHL head coaching carousel is drawing close to a conclusion.

On Thursday, the Seattle Kraken took themselves off the market for a new bench boss, as they named Lane Lambert – formerly of the New York Islanders – their third head coach in franchise history.

And with Seattle's search officially concluded, that leaves two teams still in the mix for a new coach: the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins.

Both teams are in the later stages of their coaching search, and in both cases, news is expected by early June.

As for the Penguins – according to multiple reports – two of the names in the late-stage mix are Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love and Los Angeles Kings assistant coach D.J. Smith.

Pittsburgh's GM and POHO Kyle Dubas is conducting in-person interviews this week, and – according to Josh Yohe of The Athletic – a final decision could come as soon as the end of this week.

Opinion: Mitch Love Is The Right Choice To Lead The PenguinsWith the IIHF Men's World Championship wrapped up – and Canada, shockingly, having lost Thursday to Team Denmark – Pittsburgh Penguins GM and POHO Kyle Dubas can shift his focus from managing Team Canada fully to the coaching search for his NHL club.