Penguins Near Hiring Washington Assistant Mitch Love Head Coach

The Pittsburgh Penguins are close to concluding their search for a new head coach following the departure of Mike Sullivan, with assistant coach Mitch Love emerging as the frontrunner. Love, currently with the Washington Capitals, is praised for his work with their strong defensive unit and young players, attributes the Penguins value as they aim to emulate the Capitals' recent success. Other candidates still in consideration include DJ Smith, former Ottawa Senators head coach and Los Angeles Kings assistant, and Jay Woodcroft, former Edmonton Oilers head coach. General Manager Kyle Dubas is leading the search independently, conducting in-person interviews and hoping to finalize the hire by early June. While Love is favored by many sources, the Penguins have yet to officially announce their choice and continue to meet with other finalists. The urgency to fill the position is heightened as the Penguins are among only three NHL teams still searching for a head coach as the new season approaches.