Washington Capitals rival partways with head coach
Photo credit: NHLPA.com
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Monday that they were parting ways with the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach, a little over a week after the team missed the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
Sportsnet reports that general manager Kyle Dubas took a more cautious approach last week, mentioning that he and Sullivan met to confirm their visions for the team's future. On Monday, Dubas said the decision to part ways wasn't made lightly, but the organization ultimately felt it was necessary.
«As we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved." -Dubas
Sullivan, who holds the franchise record with 409 wins as Penguins head coach, guided Pittsburgh to consecutive Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. He still had two years remaining on the extension he signed in 2022 and had recently expressed a desire to stay with the team as it looks to retool around team captain Sidney Crosby.
The announcement marked a stark contrast to Dubas' tone last week, when he praised Sullivan as an "elite-level" coach who seemed supportive of the significant roster overhaul Dubas is working to implement.
«There's always the point that very few coaches who are in that realm often want to see a team through this. But he's been very open about this is what he wants to do so we'll just continue to reaffirm that and as long as he's on that side of it, we will roll with that." -Dubas
The Penguins brought in Sullivan in December 2015 to replace Mike Johnston, hoping to ignite the team. His straightforward, no-nonsense style, along with several savvy moves by former GM Jim Rutherford, helped Pittsburgh capture back-to-back championships.
"Sullivan also developed a deep bond with Crosby and fellow franchise icons Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, repeatedly praising their leadership during the back half of a 16-year stretch in which the Penguins were playoff fixtures." -Sportsnet
We'll see if Sullivan takes on a coaching role with a new team this offseason.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 39 ANSWERS Washington Capitals rival partways with head coach Do you think Mike Sullivan will find another job at the NHL level? | ||
| Yes | 30 | 76.9 % |
| No | 9 | 23.1 % |
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