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The New Jersey Devils announced the hiring of John Hynes as the team’s new head coach in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, according to multiple media reports.
Hynes, 40, has previously coached the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins since 2010. According to NJ.com he won the job over Washington Capitals’ assistant coach Todd Reirden, Nashville Predators’ assistant Phil Housley and former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Guy Boucher.
Here’s what you need to know about New Jersey’s new hire:
1. He Coached the Wilkes-Barre Penguins, Pittsburgh’s AHL Affiliate, Since 2010
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After one season as an assistant coach for Wilkes-Barre, Hynes as named head coach on July 31, 2010 and he, effectively, turned the team around.
Over his five seasons at the helm, Hynes, who played college hockey at Boston University, has taken the Penguins to the AHL playoffs each year and made it to the conference finals twice. His coaching record with Wilkes-Barre was a more-than-respectable 231-126-27.
He reached 100 AHL wins in just 152 total games, the second fewest in league history and also led a dramatic playoff comeback in 2013, defeating the Providence Bruins in seven games after trailing 3-0 in the series.
Stephen Gionta has faced John Hynes teams in AHL. “Always tough to play against.”
2. He Takes Over a Devils Team That Had Four Head Coaches Last Season
Peter DeBoer of the New Jersey Devils coaches his team during a game against the San Jose Sharks on October 18, 2014. (Getty)
The Devils were in coaching disarray last season. That may even be an understatment.
Head coach Peter DeBoer was fired in December after posting a 12-17-7 record to begin the season this year.
Head coach Pete DeBoer has been fired by the New Jersey Devils.
Things, however, did not get better after DeBoer was let go. In fact, they got crazier. Instead of hiring just one coach to replace DeBoer or even naming a singular interim head coach, the Devils decided to name three different men, Adam Oates, Scott Stevens and Lou Lamoriello, as tri-coaches.
Unsurprisingly, the trio of coaches did not end well for the Devils who went 32-36-14 for 78 points this past season. It was the sixth-worst record in the NHL and the team’s worst point total since recording 66 in the 1998-89 season.
3. He Has a History With Devils GM Ray Shero, Who Also Hired Him in Wilkes-Barre
2 seats at #Devils news conference. One for GM Ray Shero, one for new coach John Hynes. None for Lou Lamoriello http://t.co/EbNO2Qux8V
New Devils general manager Ray Shero is keeping things close to home with his decision to bring in Hynes as the team’s new head coach.
Shero, who served as the Penguins general manager from 2006 to 2014, actually hired Hynes in Wilkes-Barre. Between the two of them, Shero and Hynes rebuilt the Baby Penguins organization from the ground up and, now, the two are focused on doing the same thing for the Devils.
New Jersey hasn’t made the playoffs since appearing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.
Shero also isn’t afraid of making the decisive move with Hynes whose hire will require compensation to the Penguins. New Jersey will forfeit a third-round draft pick, most likely in 2016, because Hynes is still under contract with Pittsburgh.
4. At 40 Years Old, He Is the Youngest Coach in the NHL
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Once his hiring is made official, Hynes will be the youngest coach in the entire League and that’s a very good thing.
Devils goalie Cory Schneider told NJ.com:
I actually had coach Hynes when I was playing for the under-18 team (2003-04). He was the head coach of the U.S. team and then he was an assistant at the world juniors. Obviously it’s been a little while since then, but I do remember him being extremely detailed and prepared and a great motivator. He’s definitely a younger guy and I know we’re trying to transition that way. I had a great experience with him and hopefully he’s the right fit for us.
Hynes has proven time and time again that he can connect with the younger playing crowd and his age does should not suggest any kind of inexperience. In fact, Hynes spent six seasons with USA Hockey as the head coach of the National Team Development Program and medaled three times at the World Under-18 Championships.
Hynes’ proximity in age to his 20-something players on the Devils roster can make the transition, and entire front office overhaul, in New Jersey that much easier.
FWIW: I’m still learning about Hynes, but I like going with youth, and given the demands of some big-name candidates, it’s a smart choice.
5. His Coaching Style Is Defensive-Minded But With Offensive Flair
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Wilkes-Barre/Scranton gave up the fewest number of goals in the entire AHL last season but the Penguins weren’t simply shutting down opponents. They were also scoring goals of their own. In fact, by the end of the season, the team’s goal differential was plus-49. This past season, four different Penguins players recorded over 40 points
This has been a trend throughout his time in the AHL. As a rookie coach, in 2012, Hynes won the AHL’s Coach of the Year Award and the Penguins finished 58-21-1 on the year, posting an almost ridiculous plus-78 goal differential.
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