Penguins already searching for new goaltending development coach

With the Penguins promoting Andy Chiodo to goaltending coach at the NHL level on Wednesday, a search for a new goaltending development coach has already begun.

Chiodo as well as his predecessors, Mike Bales and Mike Buckley, ascended to the NHL goaltending coaching role after starting in the development position.

“Andy will kind of lead that process,” general manager Ron Hextall said via video conference Thursday. “And in the end (assistant general manager Patrik Allvin), myself and (president of hockey operations Brian Burke) will talk to a couple of candidates at the end and alongside with Andy, make a decision on who’s best for the situation. We’re definitely going to replace him. That’s an important role. … (Prospects Joel Blomqvist, Calle Clang), they need some attention from the organization, some teaching and some mentoring. So we’re definitely going to look for the best guy we can find there.”

DeSmith on the mend

Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith continues to rehabilitate from offseason surgery to repair a groin muscle injury that sidelined him for the final games of the regular season and the entire postseason.

“He’s back on the ice taking shots,” Hextall said. “He looked terrific yesterday. I chatted with him briefly and everything is going very well. I anticipate him being 100% long before training camp.”

Heinen a ‘value signing’

Hextall spoke publicly about the signing of veteran forward Danton Heinen for the first time. The Penguins and Heinen agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million July 29.

A member of the Anaheim Ducks for parts of the past two seasons, Heinen previously spent four seasons playing for the Boston Bruins and reached double-digit figures in goals on three occasions.

“He’s a well-rounded player that we feel like there’s some upside there,” Hextall said. “There’s obvious numbers in Boston there at the start of his career that kind of catch your eye. We feel like there’s a little bit more goal-scoring there. He can kill penalties. We feel he’s a good fit for our team. Can play both wings. We feel it’s a little bit of a value signing. So hopefully, he can do what we expect him to do there.”

Depth on defense

After losing steady right-handed defenseman Cody Ceci to free agency last week, Hextall expressed optimism he has adequate in-house replacements in reserves Mark Friedman and Chad Ruhwedel.

“We’ll look to upgrade at any position,” Hextall said. “If we can upgrade on defense, we’ll certainly look at it. We don’t have much wiggle room in terms of cap space. (Friedman) and Chad (Ruhwedel) are both guys that we feel can certainly play in the league along with a guy like (left-handers) Juuso (Riikola) and a certainly P.O (Joseph). You look at guys like (Marcus Pettersson) and John Marino and we think there’s more there. They’re both young players. There’s more there than what they gave us last year. … We feel in some ways, like there’s upside in those players that can really solidify our defense.”

Equipment staff changes

The Penguins quietly promoted Jon Taglianetti, previously an assistant equipment staffer, to head equipment manager. Dana Heinze, the head equipment manager since 2006, is now listed as an assistant equipment manager.

“Spoke to Dana and Jon both and that’s where we all felt comfortable and Dana felt very comfortable there,” Hextall said. “It wasn’t that much of a change, a little bit of a change in title for Dana. But all is good there.”

Follow the Penguins all season long.