Report: Devils GM Shero high on Penguins AHL head coach

Ray Shero may be looking back to his old Pittsburgh Penguins days for a new head coach.

The recently-appointed New Jersey Devils general manager is believed to be interested not in former Penguins bench boss Dan Bylsma, but rather Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports:

Told by an aware source Shero has extremely high regard for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes, completing his fifth year behind the Penguins’ AHL team’s bench.

It is unclear whether the Penguins would grant Shero permission to speak with Hynes at the conclusion of the Calder Cup playoffs should the GM request it, and even if permission is granted, it is unknown whether there would be compensation involved.

Brooks also notes Hynes may be first in line for the Penguins job should they decide to part ways with Mike Johnston over the summer or at some point next season.

Hynes has led the AHL Penguins to back-to-back Eastern Conference Final appearances, while guiding the team to four 40-plus win seasons. His squads have also allowed fewest goals in the AHL in three of his four years behind the bench.

Shero will put his first big mark on the Devils with a coaching hire, and Hynes appears to be well in the mix for his first NHL gig.