The Pittsburgh Penguins began off the week by asserting the choice to half methods with longtime coach Mike Sullivan. And whereas this transfer is perhaps considerably surprising to some, it is sensible for each side.
“On behalf of Fenway Sports activities Group and the Penguins group, I wish to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering dedication and loyalty to the group and Metropolis of Pittsburgh over the previous decade,” president of hockey operations and basic supervisor Kyle Dubas said in a statement.
“He’ll perpetually be an unlimited a part of Penguins historical past, not just for the spectacular back-to-back Cups, his impression on the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, however extra importantly, for his love and loyalty to the group. This was not a call that was taken frivolously, however as we proceed to navigate the Penguins by way of this transitional interval, we felt it was the perfect course ahead for all concerned.”
It is clear the best way Sullivan’s exit is being dealt with that the Penguins want both show respect to a coach who led Pittsburgh to back-to-back Stanley Cups, but additionally acknowledge that this additional signifies a brand new period for the franchise.
However after guiding the Penguins to main success early in his tenure, Sullivan’s team started to steadily decline in recent seasons, culminating in lacking the playoff three straight years. The Penguins haven’t completed increased than fifth within the Metropolitan Division since their final playoff look.
Along with the latest slide down the standings because the core gamers from the Cup groups aged, the Penguins final sequence win got here in 2018. The latest seasons do not diminish profitable a number of championships, however do present a stark distinction within the final 5 years in comparison with how he began his decade in Pittsburgh.
Regardless that Sidney Crosby is sill broadly considered some of the full gamers in hockey – he scored 33 goals and totaled 91 points this previous season, Sullivan defenders can level to the decline of his legendary co-star Evgeni Malkin in addition to the dearth of consistency on protection and in web as larger points than teaching.
Nevertheless, Sullivan critics can even argue he benefited from a stacked lineup filled with extra All-Star than most groups have been blessed with when he received large, too.
Some consider Sullivan has proven a stubbornness to develop youthful gamers throughout a transparent rebuilding interval and that has made him appear at odds with higher administration. However it doesn’t matter what report about contract calls for anybody might consider, a parting of how was the best name.
Pittsburgh is a great distance from contending for an additional Stanley Cup. Followers might want one final run with Crosby, however that is unlikely. As Dubas is tasked with rebuilding the lineup and stockpiling younger expertise, Sullivan now not appeared to align with the present state of the franchise.
This parting of how now permits the Penguins to totally embrace their rebuild and likewise grant Sullivan, 57, a chance to discover a new group extra prepared to spend money on him as a confirmed winner.
Dubas even alluded to his perception Sullivan can still be successful as an NHL coach, however plans for the way forward for the Penguins simply did not match up anymore.
“Somebody could be a nice head coach and so they’ll transfer on and be nice of their subsequent position, and it can be time for a change,” Dubas mentioned.
