PITTSBURGH — Mike Sullivan`s tenure as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, which spanned nearly a decade, has concluded.
On Monday, the team confirmed they have separated from Sullivan, a coach who led them to two Stanley Cup victories. This decision comes slightly more than a week after the Penguins failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive year.
Sullivan holds the Penguins` franchise record with 409 coaching wins. He guided the team to consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017 and had two years remaining on his contract extension from 2022. The 57-year-old had recently expressed his desire to stay and help the team rebuild around the future Hall of Famer, Sidney Crosby.
However, General Manager Kyle Dubas was more reserved last week, mentioning plans to discuss with Sullivan to confirm their perspectives on the team`s direction were in sync. On Monday, Dubas stated that while the separation was a difficult choice, the organization believed it was a necessary step.
Dubas commented, “As we guide the Penguins through this period of transition, we determined this was the most appropriate path for everyone involved.”
This announcement contrasted with Dubas` remarks just a week prior, where he praised Sullivan as an “elite-level” coach seemingly committed to the significant roster changes Dubas is planning.
A week earlier, Dubas had said, “Often, very few coaches at that level are eager to guide a team through this kind of process. But he has been very clear that this is something he wants to do, so we will continue to confirm that, and as long as he feels that way, we will proceed together.”
Sullivan was originally brought in by the Penguins in December 2015, replacing Mike Johnston to revitalize the team. His straightforward, pragmatic coaching style, coupled with astute decisions by then-General Manager Jim Rutherford, was instrumental in Pittsburgh becoming the first team in almost 20 years to win consecutive championships.
He also forged strong connections with key players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, frequently highlighting their leadership throughout a 16-year period where the Penguins were regular playoff contenders.
However, the consistent success seen early in Sullivan`s time diminished as the team`s core players aged. The front office, led initially by Rutherford (who departed in early 2021) and subsequently by Ron Hextall (fired after just over two years), struggled to acquire the necessary players to complement a roster that grew older and imbalanced.
Pittsburgh narrowly missed the playoffs in 2023. They were further from contention in 2024, and even more so this season, being effectively eliminated during the final two months. This occurred despite another outstanding performance from the 37-year-old Crosby, who extended his NHL record with a 20th consecutive season averaging at least a point per game.
The decision was somewhat unexpected, considering Sullivan`s impressive coaching record, his close bond with Crosby, and the evident regard Fenway Sports Group, the team`s owner since late 2021, had for the Boston-born coach.
This move might also have been timed as a courtesy. The timing positions Sullivan immediately as potentially the most sought-after coaching candidate available. Among the current vacancies is the New York Rangers, an experienced team perhaps nearer to competing for a championship than the Penguins.
Tristan Blackwood