The Pittsburgh Penguins unveiled their coaching structures for the upcoming 2026‑27 campaign, confirming the continuation of two veteran heads of staff who will guide their respective affiliates.
Kirk MacDonald will begin his third season at the helm of the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins after steering the team to a 46‑17‑7‑2 record and a first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014.
Brad Ralph, meanwhile, is set to start his eleventh year as both head coach and general manager of the Florida Everblades, a tenure marked by four Kelly Cup titles in the last five seasons.
Developmental additions
Both programs also announced a wave of promotions and new hires that promise to enrich their developmental pipelines. Brad Malone and Nick Luukko will return as assistants to MacDonald, with Malone in his second year and Luukko in his third.
Evan McFeeters and Karel Popper have been elevated from the ECHL staff to assistant coach and goaltending coach positions, respectively, adding fresh perspectives to the bench.
Ryan Lennon joins the Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton Penguins as video coach, bringing experience from the Ontario Hockey League’s Kingston Frontenacs, while Cédrik Cabana has been appointed manager of team services after a stint with the Victoriaville Tigres.
On the Everblades side, Anthony Butrico will transition to a full‑time role as goaltending and development coach, Kyle Mountain will continue as an assistant coach for a second season, and Miranda Hartlieb and Mike Carey will oversee strength and conditioning.
David Roper and Dan Resavy have been promoted to head equipment manager and head athletic trainer, rounding out a support staff that blends continuity with new expertise.
The moves come as both franchises look to build on recent successes and deepen the talent pool that feeds into the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins organization.