Penguins name Jacques Martin special assistant to head coach

Jacques Martin will be giving the Pittsburgh Penguins a bird's eye view next season.

Martin will join head coach Mike Johnston’s staff under the title of special assistant to the head coach, the club announced Tuesday.

His main role will be to analyze games from the media level and provide instant observations to Johnston and the rest of the coaching staff. More specifically, Martin will have his eyes on opposition weaknesses that can be exploited, both in terms of individual players and overall systems.

"I’m really looking forward to it," Martin said. "I have a good relationship with the coaching staff and management. Being closer to the team and provide feedback, use my experience from over the years, just giving them another opinion."

Martin has been with the organization for two seasons, serving as an assistant coach on the bench before taking on an advisory role under general manager Jim Rutherford.

A four-time Jack Adams finalist as the NHL's coach of the year, Martin won the award in 1999.

Martin brings 30 years of coaching experience to the mix, both at the NHL and international levels.