As we wait for the Sidney Crosby extension, this article highlights and ranks the Penguins coaches who have had the honour of coaching him. Sidney Crosby’s career has been defined by consistent excellence guided by the coaches he has played under. The Pittsburgh Penguins have had five head coaches during Crosby’s time with the team. Each of these coaches brought a unique approach to the team. Some approaches worked better than others as the Penguins have won Stanley Cup three times during this time. Meshing well with the superstar is a trait shared by the coaches that have found the most success with the team during the Crosby era.
5. Ed Olczyk
Ed Olczyk’s time with the Pittsburgh Penguins was both brief and tumultuous. As such, he is the easiest choice for the bottom of this list. Sidney Crosby’s rookie season began under Olczyk, but the team struggled mightily, and Penguins coach Olczyk was relieved of his duties after just 31 games. His record during Crosby’s time was a disappointing 8-17-6. This record reflected the team’s talent structure and weak coaching. Olczyk may have been an accomplished player and a knowledgeable television analyst, but his tenure as head coach of the Penguins during Crosby’s era was largely forgettable.
4. Mike Johnston
Mike Johnston’s tenure was short-lived and had the potential to derail a high point in the franchise. Hired to replace Dan Bylsma in 2014, Johnston was seen as a fresh voice to lead a talented Penguins roster. Crosby, alongside Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang were all in their primes looking to accomplish championship success. Additionally, the introduction of general manager Jim Rutherford was followed by the acquisition of talent like Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino. Even with all this firepower, Johnston chose to coach a more defensive system. This system didn’t mesh well with the team’s high-octane offence at all, leading to lacklustre results. While Johnston finished with a respectable 58-37-15 record, his coaching style neutralized the offence of the team. This disconnect between roster and staff lead to Johnston’s firing early in the championship winning 2016 season. While GM Jim Rutherford stopped Johnston’s stay from becoming a disaster, it does not stop him from ranking lower on this list.
3. Michel Therrien
Michel Therrien was a pivotal figure in the early development of the Penguins’ core. Taking over from Olczyk in Crosby’s rookie season, Therrien did not waste time in changing the culture of the team. Unlike Johnston, Therrien instilled a two-way defensive-leaning, mid-set that fit for the roster at the time. The team’s best talent was young and inexperienced. As such, it made sense to focus on ensuring their game was well-rounded. Therrien’s system led to a 135-105-32 record. Additionally, he coached the Penguins to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, where they fell just short against the Detroit Red Wings. While hopes were high for the team and Therrien following the finals, a slow start to the 2008-2009 season led to his replacement by Dan Bylsma. However, Therrien’s legacy is one of development, as he had a hand in ensuring the core stars of the team rounded out their skills early.
2. Dan Bylsma
Dan Bylsma’s impact on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby was both immediate and profound. Taking over partly through the 2008-2009 season, Bylsma introduced an aggressive offensive system that instantly suited the Penguins’ roster. The result of his hiring was a Stanley Cup championship months later. This season alone solidified the head coach in Penguins history. The Penguins would not win another championship with Bylsma again. However, his regular-season success was remarkable, with a 252-117-32 record, Bylsma’s Penguins were never in doubt to make the playoffs. Regardless of its ending, Bylsma’s tenure during some of Sidney Crosby’s prime years had a profound effect. He allowed Crosby and the other stars of the team to play a style of hockey well-suited to their playstyles.
1. Mike Sullivan
Mike Sullivan takes the top spot as the best coach of Sidney Crosby’s career with the Penguins, and potentially best coach in franchise history. Sullivan was hired in December 2015 following Mike Johnston’s firing. He immediately made an impact, as he took a Penguins team on the outside of the playoffs looking in on a 33-16-5 run. This run continued into the playoffs, as the Penguins would win the 2016 Stanley Cup. Additionally, Sullivan would lead the team to a second straight Cup in 2017. Sullivan’s no-nonsense approach and willingness to adapt kept the Penguins competitive for many years. His ability to get the most out of role players like Matt Cullen or Bryan Rust set him apart from the rest. Although the Penguins have faltered as of late, Sullivan’s ongoing tenure has seen the Penguins consistently in playoff contention. Sullivan’s leadership has allowed Crosby to continue to dominate well into his 30s. Boasting a record of 344-187-68 (as of August 2024), Mike Sullivan has earned his place as the most successful Penguins head coach in the Sidney Crosby era.
Conclusion
As the hockey world anticipates Sidney Crosby’s contract extension, this article serves to reflect on the coaches who have had the honour of leading one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Each of these coaches brought their own style to the team and had varying levels of success. However, the Penguin’s three Stanley Cups during Crosby’s career highlights the importance of not just those coaches that won with the team, but the important work done by the coaches who did not find championship success prior to being let go. The coaches that performed the best with the team have the underlying theme of understanding Crosby’s unique skills and leadership. This highlights both the importance of giving a great like Crosby structure, while mixing him and the rest of the team together with a coach that understands the roster given to them.
Main photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
