Is Tocchet on the Penguins’ Coaching Docket?

I confess, when Rick Tocchet stepped down as Canucks coach a day after the Penguins parted ways with long-time coach Mike Sullivan, the wheels began to turn.

After all, it would be easy enough to connect the dots. A warrior winger renown for his ferocity during his playing days, Tocchet was a driving, two-fisted force behind the Pens’ second Cup triumph in 1992 and won two more Cups while serving as an assistant to Sullivan. An assignment that re-launched Tocchet’s head coaching career.

There was a time a couple of years ago when I would’ve swapped out Sully for Tocchet, and gladly.

But now?

I’m just not sure he’d be a good fit for where we are as a team.

On the plus side, last season’s Jack Adams winner preaches accountability and he’s well-versed in the up-tempo style the Pens have traditionally played under Sullivan. He has an established relationship (presumed to be good) with our core three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. No small consideration.

A trait I’d personally regard as a huge plus? The old power forward wouldn’t be as restrictive as Sullivan about the type of players he’d be leading.

Translation? While I wouldn’t expect us to morph into the Pengoons under his watch, he’ll embrace players with a physical bent. One of his prominent success stories with the Canucks was the transformation of Dakota Joshua from fringe fourth-liner into legit power forward before health issues set him back.

However, my concern would be on the developmental side of the coin. Specifically working with kids. At age 61, would Tocchet be willing (and able) to teach and grind through the growing pains and youthful mistakes that would be inherent in the Pens’ coaching job over the next few seasons?

It’s one thing to be good with established players. Working with kids? A whole ‘nother kettle of fish.

Not that he doesn’t have plenty of experience with 20-somethings. His pre-Covid Coyote teams were fairly loaded with youthful up-and-comers such as Clayton Keller, Lawson Crouse, Conor Garland and Jakob Chychrun, who for the most part seemed to progress. Ex-Pen Vinnie Hinostroza, then a prospect, had far and away his most productive season for Tocchet.

Still, I wonder.

Actually, my gut tells me Tocchet will return to his Philly roots to coach the Flyers before all is said and done. Our in-state rivals are a little bit further down the development trail than we are.