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For the last five years John Hynes has helped countless players reach the NHL.
Now, it appears he’ll be joining their ranks.
Reports from numerous media outlets throughout the day on Monday said Hynes, 40, will be named the next head coach of the New Jersey Devils. The official announcement is expected today – pending both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Devils coming to an agreement on draft pick compensation. Hynes will follow former Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero to the New Jersey organization.
Hynes’ name has been mentioned for NHL head coaching vacancies for the last several years. Last summer, he was one of the finalists for the job in Pittsburgh, which eventually went to Mike Johnston. Shero hired Hynes as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s head coach five years ago.
Last month, after the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were knocked out of the postseason, Hynes was asked about his interest in an NHL job. At that point, Hynes said he wasn’t contacted by any teams and his focus remained as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s head coach.
But Hynes said he would be interested in an NHL job.
“You always have an interest to get to the NHL,” Hynes said in May. “If something comes along that makes sense for myself and my family, it’s something I would consider.”
Hynes compiled a 231-126-27 record and led the Penguins to the AHL playoffs each year in five seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was the AHL coach of the year in 2011 and has the most wins in franchise history.
If Hynes is named New Jersey’s head coach, he follows Dan Bylsma, Todd Richards, Michel Therrien and Mike Yeo as other former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coaches to land in the NHL.