Okay, so, the Pittsburgh Penguins are ready to experiment with a new coaching staff for the 2014-15 campaign, but we’ve yet to be informed on the assistant coaches’ specific duties.
Until now.
According to Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, head coach Mike Johnston has reportedly given the role of overseeing the power play to assistant coach Rick Tocchet, and penalty kill duties to assistant coach Gary Agnew.
Tocchet will coach the power play, Agnew will coach the penalty kill...read more: http://t.co/ew8TwCS1AX
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) August 25, 2014
Yohe also reported that Johnston – who’s the head coach and will obviously patrol multiple areas – will focus more on the centers and defensemen.
Tocchet has always been one to orchestrate the power play, and has a solid reputation in that field. While names like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin may be eye-popping to some, Tocchet dealt with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis down in Tampa Bay – which had a pretty effective power play.
Agnew is turning his attention to the penalty kill, after running the power play show in St. Louis this past season. The Blues man-advantage drew blanks more often than not towards the tail end of last season, and given the Penguins’ lack of a power play as well, Agnew’s perfect for the penalty-killing portion.
After struggling on special teams in the playoffs and at times during the regular-season, it’ll be interesting to see if the fresh faces can turn over a new leaf.
Change is good. Especially for Pittsburgh.