Dec 18, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith looks on during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/935b329f-91d9-4af2-a268-33410dc17456.jpeg] Dec 18, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Ottawa Senators head coach D.J. Smith looks on during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images 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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/latest-news/kraken-announce-lane-lambert-as-third-coach-in-franchise-history], as they named Lane Lambert - formerly of the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] and the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/two-names-emerge-in-penguins-head-coaching-search] in the late-stage mix are Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/opinion-mitch-love-is-the-right-choice-to-lead-the-penguins] 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 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6389690/2025/05/29/penguins-coaching-search-nhl-mitch-love/] - a final decision could come as soon as the end of this week. Opinion: Mitch Love Is The Right Choice To Lead The Penguins [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1c7bbc21-5f67-4136-9fcc-d71ee653c4af.webp] Opinion: Mitch Love Is The Right Choice To Lead The Penguins With the IIHF Men's World Championship wrapped up - and <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/world-championship-denmark-shocks-eliminates-canada-in-final-minutes-of-quarterfinal-matchup">Canada, shockingly, having lost Thursday to Team Denmark</a> - <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> GM and POHO Kyle Dubas can shift his focus from managing Team Canada fully to the coaching search for his NHL club. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/opinion-mitch-love-is-the-right-choice-to-lead-the-penguins] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
