Disclosed discussion between Kyle Dubas and Sidney Crosby prior to Mike Sullivan's exit
In a surprising turn of events, the Pittsburgh Penguins pulled the plug on head coach Mike Sullivan Monday. Despite shattering the franchise record for games coached, wins, and playoff victories, Sullivan's time in Pittsburgh came to an end. The team's long-standing legend and captain Sidney Crosby has continued to dazzle, delivering another point-per-game season. With such a powerhouse player in tow, General Manager Kyle Dubas sought the input of Crosby before making the decision. And what did 87 say? According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, "Five-minute conversation...I have to do what's best for the organization."
Amidst rumors of a Penguins rebuild and the potential for a Crosby trade, the question of the captain's involvement in Sullivan's departure has arisen. Dubas was asked about Crosby's potential desire to depart due to the change in coaching staff, to which he emphatically responded, "No."
With three future Hall-of-Famers still on the team – Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang – Dubas has the monumental task of ensuring this talented trio does not go out with a whimper. Sadly, the Penguins have failed to win a playoff series since 2018 and have missed the postseason since 2022.
So, will the firing of Sullivan be enough to propel the Penguins back to competition before Crosby retires?
Finding a Coach to Lead the Penguins Forward
With Sullivan out of the picture, the Penguins must find a coach who can guide the team into a new era. It seems that Crosby played no significant role in the decision-making process, as Dubas simply informed him of the change. While a consultation could have left the door open for input, the decision is now set in stone.
The Penguins have several paths to consider when selecting their new head coach. They could opt for an internal promotion, with David Quinn and Ty Hennes as possibilities. However, given the team's lacklustre performance, going this route may not be the best move.
An alternate option is to hire a coach with extensive experience. Candidates might include Joel Quenneville, who boasts the second-most wins in NHL history but was suspended for the 2010 Blackhawks scandal. Another potential choice is Jay Woodcroft, who led the Oilers to record regular-season success in the McDavid era.
The Penguins might also consider a coach with a developmental focus, like University of Denver bench boss David Carle, who recently withdrew his name from consideration for the Blackhawks job. Could the allure of coaching Crosby be enough to draw Carle to the NHL?
The Penguins are considering coaches from a variety of levels and backgrounds, including NHL, AHL, junior, college, and European coaches. The organization aims to finalize the hiring process by early June.
- Despite the departure of Mike Sullivan, there seems to be no significant involvement from Sidney Crosby in the decision-making process regarding his replacement.
- In their search for a new head coach, the Pittsburgh Penguins are weighing options such as internal promotions, experienced coaches like Joel Quenneville and Jay Woodcroft, and development-focused coaches like David Carle.
- The NHL franchise is considering candidates from diverse backgrounds, including coaches from AHL, junior, college, and European leagues, with a goal to finalize the hiring process by early June.
- The firing of Mike Sullivan raises questions about whether a new coach can propel the Penguins back to competition before Sidney Crosby retires, given the team's struggles in recent playoffs.
