Penguins Miss on Top Free Agent Coach

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PITTSBURGH – The moment Sheldon Keefe was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, there was a fair amount of speculation that his next stop would be in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Not as a head coach, but possibly as an assistant or head coach of the American Hockey League Affiliate.

The Penguins have missed out on the chance to hire Keefe, as the New Jersey Devils appear to be his next landing spot. First reported by “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast co-host Brian McGonagal (Rear Admiral), Keefe will be the Devils next head coach.

The Devils are yet to announce the hire, but multiple sources have confirmed the initial report.

Keefe has a history with Penguins president and general manager Kyle Dubas, making Pittsburgh a possible landing spot. In 349 games as Maple Leafs head coach, Keefe picked up a 212-97-40 record.

The Penguins are continuing their search for a new assistant coach for the NHL level and head coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. No names have emerged as candidates for the assistant job, while only one name has been revealed as possibly in the running for the AHL position.

Elliotte Friedman reports that John Snowden could be a front-runner for the AHL job.

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