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Pittsburgh Penguins: Top 5 Coaches in Team History

By Matthew Rodrigopulle |
Jan 20, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan looks on from behind the players bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 7-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan looks on from behind the players bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 7-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have had many coaches throughout their rich history.

From wins to losses to Stanley Cups and Jack Adams Trophies, Pittsburgh Penguins coaches have seen it all.

But who are the top five coaches in team history and what separates them from the rest? Well, let’s find out.

Mar 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A general view of the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Flyers won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A general view of the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Flyers won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

5: Ivan Hlinka

Record: 42-32-9

Ivan Hlinka’s coaching career with the Penguins was short, but still sweet. Hired for the 2000-01 season, he took the Penguins to a 42-28-9 record which was good enough for third in the Atlantic division.

This may not seem that decent, but Hlinka’s real accomplishments came in the playoffs. With a returning Mario Lemieux on his roster, he guided his team to a surprising Eastern Conference Finals run before they were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils.

The next season only saw Hlinka coach four games for the Penguins amid controversy between him and Mario Lemieux. Despite this, the one full season that Hlinka coached was definitely a memorable one that illustrated his strong coaching skills.

Feb 17, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on a jersey at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; Columbus, OH, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Penguins logo on a jersey at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

4: Eddie Johnston

Record: 232-224-60

Although Eddie Johnston didn’t fulfill his job to win the team’s third Stanley Cup, he accomplished a lot in his two stints as the Penguins coach.

He is the longest serving head coach of the Pens, holding the job from 1980-1983, and then again from 1993-1997. During this time, he accumulated a 232-224-60 record in 516 games coached. He led the team to three division titles and one Conference Finals. He is the Penguins coach with the most games and as such he should be recognized for the time he put in to this team.

Feb 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma (right) gestures on the bench against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma (right) gestures on the bench against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3: Dan Bylsma

Record: 252-117-32

Achievements: 2009 Stanley Cup winner with the Penguins, Jack Adams Trophy winner in 2011.

Bylsma replaced Michel Therrien as head coach of the Penguins midway through the 2008-09 season. At 38, he was the youngest head coach in the NHL at the time and he immediately took the Penguins to a 18–3–4 record—the second most of any coach in NHL history through their first 25 games.

Bylsma then completed the ultimate goal as a coach in his first year–he won the Stanley Cup in 2009. Now yes, you can say that this team that had made the Finals in the previous year were bound to win it anyways, but before Bylsma stepped in the team was struggling to even make the playoffs. His coaching made an immediate difference on the team that is definitely hard to overlook.

The success kept coming for Bylsma in the next few seasons. In 2011, Bylsma was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the league’s most outstanding coach as he coached the Penguins to the playoffs even without their key pieces in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Bylsma soon after became the fastest coach in NHL history to reach 250 wins, and is also the winningest coach in Penguins history with 252 wins.

Despite being fired in 2014, Bylsma arguably achieved the most as a coach of the Penguins. With all the ups came downs however, but he was able to pull through.

Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of snow on the Mario Lemieux statue outside before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Vancouver Canucks at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of snow on the Mario Lemieux statue outside before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Vancouver Canucks at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2: Bob Johnson

Record: 41-33-6

Achievements: 1991 Stanley Cup Winner with the Penguins

“It’s a great day for hockey!”

The catch phrase that stuck with us. Bob Johnson is remembered for a number of things that he did for this organization. But the most significant thing he has done was win Pittsburgh it’s first Stanley Cup.

Joining the team for the 1990-91 season, he led the the Penguins to a fantastic record which took the Patrick Division title.

In the playoffs the team really shined. The Penguins handled New Jersey, Washington, Boston and finally Minnesota to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

Bob Johnson’s career was at an all-time high, and Pittsburgh was eager for the next season with him. Unfortunately, in August 1991, Johnson suffered a brain aneurysm and was diagnosed with brain cancer. Scotty Bowman replaced him as head coach, and Johnson died on November 26, 1991.

We might not know how Johnson’s career could have panned out, but based on his one season as coach, he was spectacular and will never be forgotten.

Jan 14, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the Stanley Cup and NHL Logo before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A general view of the Stanley Cup and NHL Logo before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

1: Scotty Bowman

Record: 95-53-16

Achievements: 1992 Stanley Cup winner with the Penguins

What’s there to say about Bowman that hasn’t been said already? He has coached for several years and several different teams with which he won a record nine Stanley Cups. Out of these nine, only one was with the Penguins, but the two seasons he spent in Pittsburgh were remarkable.

After previous head coach and Stanley Cup winner Bob Johnson was diagnosed with brain cancer, Bowman took over as head coach. The Penguins repeated as Cup champions in 1992 under his guidance.

The 1992-93 season was even more spectacular however. Even though they did not win the Cup that year, the records they set were amazing. The Penguins had their first 100-point season in franchise history under Bowman that season. Their 119 points ended up being the league’s best record and still holds as the franchise record. That season’s Penguins also set the NHL record for consecutive wins with 17–a record that still has yet to be broken.

After the 1992-93 season, Bowman went on to become the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. His stint with the Penguins was short, but in retrospect he achieved the most for this franchise. You may argue that other coaches have won one Cup as well, but on top of that championship Bowman also achieved many feats for this team. It is this reason why I think he is the greatest coach in Penguins history.

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