'Fair amount' of interest in Penguins' coaching job

[Shell]

No real news here, but figured I may as well post since there are so many Pens fans.

'Fair amount' of interest in Penguins' coaching job
Thursday, April 24, 2003
By Dave Molinari, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

General Manager Craig Patrick isn't saying exactly who has shown interest in the Penguins' coaching vacancy. He isn't even certain exactly how many people have contacted him about that job.

But, eight days after beginning the search for Rick Kehoe's replacement, Patrick seems satisfied with the response to the news that the position is open.

"I haven't added them up, but there's been a fair amount of interest," Patrick said yesterday.

"I'm not surprised by the level of interest. There are plenty of people who've sent their names this way."

Patrick, who spent most of the past week scouting the Penguins' Wilkes-Barre/Scranton minor-league team in the American Hockey League playoffs, said he is "still in the receiving mode" and that he doesn't have a time frame for moving into the next phase of the hiring process.

"Something might come across my desk that makes me jump at it," he said. "I'm not sure yet. So far, that hasn't happened."

Patrick said he has not asked any team for permission to speak to a job candidate.

When he announced last Tuesday that Kehoe would not return as coach, Patrick was emphatic about his desire to see who would express interest in the job.

Yesterday, he left open the possibility of contacting intriguing candidates even if they don't make the first move.

"Maybe we'll get to a point where there are a few people I haven't heard from that I want to inquire about," he said. "Certainly, I have my antenna up about a few people I hope to hear from."

He declined to identify them.

Whether Patrick eventually will be seeking a new coach for the Baby Penguins isn't clear.

Patrick's brother, Glenn, has been harshly criticized in some quarters for his record in developing young talent in Wilkes-Barre.

Patrick said that "certainly, everyone will be reviewed," but that the analysis of the coaching in Wilkes-Barre has not be done yet.

The Baby Penguins beat Utah in a qualifying round of the AHL playoffs, then lost a best-of-five series to Grand Rapids in four games.

"I was very pleased with the way they played," Patrick said.

He cited "two very ugly periods" early in the Grand Rapids series as the only exception and professed to be happy with the performance of many of the team's prospects.

"A lot of guys played well," he said. "We're going to have some very interesting [roster] decisions this fall."

[Shell]

No real news here, but figured I may as well post since there are so many Pens fans.

'Fair amount' of interest in Penguins' coaching job
Thursday, April 24, 2003
By Dave Molinari, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

General Manager Craig Patrick isn't saying exactly who has shown interest in the Penguins' coaching vacancy. He isn't even certain exactly how many people have contacted him about that job.

But, eight days after beginning the search for Rick Kehoe's replacement, Patrick seems satisfied with the response to the news that the position is open.

"I haven't added them up, but there's been a fair amount of interest," Patrick said yesterday.

"I'm not surprised by the level of interest. There are plenty of people who've sent their names this way."

Patrick, who spent most of the past week scouting the Penguins' Wilkes-Barre/Scranton minor-league team in the American Hockey League playoffs, said he is "still in the receiving mode" and that he doesn't have a time frame for moving into the next phase of the hiring process.

"Something might come across my desk that makes me jump at it," he said. "I'm not sure yet. So far, that hasn't happened."

Patrick said he has not asked any team for permission to speak to a job candidate.

When he announced last Tuesday that Kehoe would not return as coach, Patrick was emphatic about his desire to see who would express interest in the job.

Yesterday, he left open the possibility of contacting intriguing candidates even if they don't make the first move.

"Maybe we'll get to a point where there are a few people I haven't heard from that I want to inquire about," he said. "Certainly, I have my antenna up about a few people I hope to hear from."

He declined to identify them.

Whether Patrick eventually will be seeking a new coach for the Baby Penguins isn't clear.

Patrick's brother, Glenn, has been harshly criticized in some quarters for his record in developing young talent in Wilkes-Barre.

Patrick said that "certainly, everyone will be reviewed," but that the analysis of the coaching in Wilkes-Barre has not be done yet.

The Baby Penguins beat Utah in a qualifying round of the AHL playoffs, then lost a best-of-five series to Grand Rapids in four games.

"I was very pleased with the way they played," Patrick said.

He cited "two very ugly periods" early in the Grand Rapids series as the only exception and professed to be happy with the performance of many of the team's prospects.

"A lot of guys played well," he said. "We're going to have some very interesting [roster] decisions this fall."

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I can't believe there would be an interest in the head coaching position unless you are planning to commit career suicide. Granted I love the Pens, but they are terrible. They had a 16 game winless streak. And they finally broke it against who? The Canes. But everyone on the Pens is either; a 3rd or 4th liner or minor league player. GM Craig Patrick has already said next season will be 'survival' mode. Not too much confidence for a GM.

[PennsylvaniaCanesFan]

I can't believe there would be an interest in the head coaching position unless you are planning to commit career suicide. Granted I love the Pens, but they are terrible. They had a 16 game winless streak. And they finally broke it against who? The Canes. But everyone on the Pens is either; a 3rd or 4th liner or minor league player. GM Craig Patrick has already said next season will be 'survival' mode. Not too much confidence for a GM.

[raleighcanesfan]

PCF--Think ole Kevin Constatine will come back? I've heard his name from sources, since he's still close to Neville Island, but I don't think he'd do it.

You can forget, unfortunately, about Ted Nolan either.

I see Glenn Patrick (coach of the WB-S Baby Pens) or a college coach coming in, since that's what they need with all the AHLers that will play next year, again unfortunately without 66.

[raleighcanesfan]

PCF--Think ole Kevin Constatine will come back? I've heard his name from sources, since he's still close to Neville Island, but I don't think he'd do it.

You can forget, unfortunately, about Ted Nolan either.

I see Glenn Patrick (coach of the WB-S Baby Pens) or a college coach coming in, since that's what they need with all the AHLers that will play next year, again unfortunately without 66.

[Shell]

Looking beyond family
Penguins GM Craig Patrick fires brother Glenn from minor coaching job
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH, Pa.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Craig Patrick fired his brother, Glenn, as coach of the team's American Hockey League affiliate on Friday.

Glenn Patrick led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 36-32-7-5 record this season and had a 115-152-38-15 in four seasons.

After defeating Utah 2-0 in a qualifying playoff series, the Penguins lost 3-1 to Grand Rapids in the Western Conference quarter-finals.

"After reviewing all of the circumstances, we decided it was time to make a change," Craig Patrick said in a statement.

Craig Patrick fired Rick Kehoe as Pittsburgh's coach last month.

It was not immediately known if Glenn Patrick would remain with the Penguins' organization.

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[Shell]

Penguins to hire Olczyk as head coach
Ed Olczyk played two seasons for the Penguins.

(posted Jun. 11, 8:04AM EDT)
Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins will announce today the hiring of former player and broadcaster Ed Olczyk to a multi-year deal as their new head coach.

Olczyk retired from the NHL in 2000 after a 15-year career that also included stints in Toronto, Chicago, Winnipeg, New York (Rangers) and Los Angeles.

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[talkingcanes]

Penguins to hire Olczyk as head coach
Ed Olczyk played two seasons for the Penguins.

(posted Jun. 11, 8:04AM EDT)
Sportsnet has learned the Pittsburgh Penguins will announce today the hiring of former player and broadcaster Ed Olczyk to a multi-year deal as their new head coach.

Olczyk retired from the NHL in 2000 after a 15-year career that also included stints in Toronto, Chicago, Winnipeg, New York (Rangers) and Los Angeles.

I hope for their sakes, he's a better coach than he is an announcer :roll:

[Shell]

some more info..

Olczyk named Penguins coach
TSN.ca Staff
6/11/2003

EDMONTON (CP) - Ed Olczyk was named the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday while the Edmonton Oilers were expected to announce Craig MacTavish will be returning next season.

Olczyk, a longtime NHL player who became a broadcaster three years ago, was hired as the Penguins' fifth coach in five years despite having no coaching experience. He replaces Rick Kehoe, who was fired at the end of the season. The team announced the move at a news conference Wednesday.

``I've wanted this for a long time,'' Olczyk said. ``Craig (Patrick) and I have talked for a long time, and he knew a couple of years ago I wanted to do this. I know people are going to doubt it and have questions about what is going on, but that's all right. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.''

Olczyk's hiring mirrors a move early last season by the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche promoted former player and announcer Tony Granato to coach after only a couple of months with the team as an assistant coach.

Olczyk, 36, spent 16 seasons in the NHL as a player, including a brief stay with the Penguins, but his only coaching was with a group of 15- and 16-year-olds in Chicago.

The hiring reflects Penguins general manager Craig Patrick's desire to hire a coach who can relate to and work with the team's younger players. The Penguins have gutted their roster since making the Eastern Conference final two years ago, trading Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev, Jan Hrdina and a number of other experienced players in an effort to rebuild with much younger and lower-priced talent.

``We're excited to name Eddie as our new head coach and can't wait for him to get started,'' said Patrick. ``He's a tremendous communicator, he'll be an excellent teacher, and he brings a wealth of hockey experience and hockey knowledge to our organization.''

The Penguins are coming off their worst season since owner-player Mario Lemieux's rookie season in 1984-85, losing all but two of the final 21 games while finishing 27-44-6-5 under Kehoe. He was fired April 15 after the Penguins won only 55 games in two seasons.

Olczyk played for the Maple Leafs, Blackhawks, Winnipeg Jets, Rangers, Kings and Penguins during his NHL career, getting 342 goals and 452 assists in 1,031 games.

Kehoe followed former Czech Olympic coach Ivan Hlinka, who was let go four games into the 2001-02 season despite taking the Penguins to the conference final the previous season. In turn, Hlinka succeeded Herb Brooks, who finished the 1999-2000 season as coach after Kevin Constantine was fired in December 1999.

Just as with Hlinka, who had no NHL experience, the Olczyk hiring is a major gamble for Patrick.

``I know there are going to be skeptics because he has no bench coaching experience, but a lot of guys in the NHL have stepped out of their equipment and behind the bench and have had great careers,'' Patrick said.

[Jillsdad]

Eddie O from the booth to the bench, does this mean the rangers aer going to hire John Davidson to be their coach?