The Rise And Fall Of Mike Sullivan...

[BallardEra]

I find it kind of sad that Sid appears to be ending his career on a team going nowhere.

He chose that path.

 

[Fatass]

Sullivan is the same coach who won two cups. The club’s core is old and stale. They needed to rebuild two years ago. Sullivan isn’t the problem in Pittsburgh; the GM (certainly directed by ownership) is the problem. They are in a very bad situation. And it’s not Sullivan’s fault.

 

[BallardEra]

Sullivan is the same coach who won two cups. The club’s core is old and stale. They needed to rebuild two years ago. Sullivan isn’t the problem in Pittsburgh; the GM (certainly directed by ownership) is the problem. They are in a very bad situation. And it’s not Sullivan’s fault.

Sullivan isn't the answer either. He should have been turfed ages ago.

 

[Randyne]

Tell him to send Sid golfing. PIT will take PO spot.

 

[Fatass]

Sullivan isn't the answer either. He should have been turfed ages ago.

For what purpose?

 

[Turin]

Sullivan is the same coach who won two cups. The club’s core is old and stale. They needed to rebuild two years ago. Sullivan isn’t the problem in Pittsburgh; the GM (certainly directed by ownership) is the problem. They are in a very bad situation. And it’s not Sullivan’s fault.

The NHL has changed a lot since 2017.

 

[Suntouchable13]

What's the point even keeping him? Just let him go so he can latch on with a playoff team. He does nothing for Pittsburgh right now. Me thinks Kyle needs to pull a Lou Lam and appoint himself coach, to gain a different perspective on things.

 

[Fatass]

Are you suggesting replacing Sullivan will make a difference to the Pens?
IMO that lineup (core) is old and stale. They need to rebuild. Changing the coach is irrelevant at this point.

 

[Mosby]

There's no sense in a team at the bottom having a $5.5-million coach. Time to bring in a new face.

 

[molon labe]

Are you suggesting replacing Sullivan will make a difference to the Pens?
IMO that lineup (core) is old and stale. They need to rebuild. Changing the coach is irrelevant at this point.

Right. Though you'd have to assume (incorrectly) that this coach has had zero impact on the roster and shaping the organization.

The Penguins organization have given Sullivan at least a dozen roster formations to his liking and he's failed with every single one of them. This is several years of failure. What's unfolding is nothing new it's just getting broader attention. With the lack of Zach Aston-Reese admitted - this roster is the utopia of Sullivan brand hockey - 1 (maybe) offensive line, penalty killers, and PMD. For goaltending the idea is to have 2-3 you can rotate and pine the blame on. It's been largely a roll of the dice and ignored area of his brand...and likely one of the biggest downfalls of his system.

But in the end, the Penguins need to move on from Sully because he's so damned entrenched in this organization and he's not bringing any measurable positivity to it. From there, you can take one of many roads (trade everyone/fire sale, rebuild, retool, whatever) - but it begins with getting rid of his immeasurable grip on the organization and team.

 

[Tie Domi Esquire]

There's no sense in a team at the bottom having a $5.5-million coach. Time to bring in a new face.

He will still be getting paid that money if he gets fired. The money faucet in Toronto was turned off when Dubas convinced the owners to fire Babcock when he still had a whopping 4 seasons left at 6.25 million per year just so he could hire his inept friend.

Dumbass cost the Leafs Seth Jarvis for Marleau's 1x6.25M, imagine if there was a coach salary cap! Leafs would be in the cellar next to the Penguins!

 

[Mosby]

Someone else will scoop up Sullivan and pay him his current salary or close to it, so the Pens will be off the hook.

There are still a lot of coaches pulling down big pretty big deals, like Paul Maurice, John Tortorella, Peter Laviolette, etc.

 

[archangel2]

A coach can only do so much with the roster he has. Oilers have 2 of the best players in the league and right now they are a bubble team for the playoffs. Pens refuse to rebuild and they are paying the price. Their goaltending has been very bad. The one goalie who had been good had to get sent down due to numbers

 

[RedRocking]

I wonder if he would do well going to a team with young legs and offensive potential. Like a Ducks, Utah, SJ, or OTT. Maybe that kind of roster could play his attacking style (with enough mobile PMD, and forwards that can still backcheck). Not a ton of pressure to compete - just get closer to being in the playoff mix. Or hell, maybe he could fix NSH?

The other weird piece is that he’s USA’s coach for 4 Nations. Would be kinda embarrassing if he was out of a job at that moment.

 

[Shark Finn]

I wonder if he would do well going to a team with young legs and offensive potential. Like a Ducks, Utah, SJ, or OTT.

Grier just hired Warsofsky to his first HC gig. Not happening.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I wonder if he would do well going to a team with young legs and offensive potential. Like a Ducks, Utah, SJ, or OTT. Maybe that kind of roster could play his attacking style (with enough mobile PMD, and forwards that can still backcheck). Not a ton of pressure to compete - just get closer to being in the playoff mix. Or hell, maybe he could fix NSH?

The other weird piece is that he’s USA’s coach for 4 Nations. Would be kinda embarrassing if he was out of a job at that moment.

I think he'd do well for a team like Buffalo or Ottawa that has the horses to play his system just not the experience. He's clearly done in Pittsburgh but he'll get hired elsewhere quickly.

 

[BallardEra]

Down 2-0 after the 1st.

Now 5-1.

He is definitely getting fired now.

 

[BallardEra]

They don’t play again until next Wednesday. Perfect timing to get rid of Sullivan.

 

[TheGuiminator]

Down 2-0 after the 1st.

Now 5-1.

He is definitely getting fired now.

If they really wanted to fire Sullivan, he would’ve been gone a long time ago

His contract extension is just getting started. He’s not going anywhere

 

[BallardEra]

If they really wanted to fire Sullivan, he would’ve been gone a long time ago

His contract extension is just getting started. He’s not going anywhere

Even if he lasts this season there is no way he's back for next season.

 

[SirKillalot]

"You either die being the hero or live long enough to become the villain."

 

[The Shadow]

What is Pittsburgh doing? Honestly. Are they still thinking they can compete for a cup?

 

[Zbynek]

Sullivan is the same coach who won two cups. The club’s core is old and stale. They needed to rebuild two years ago. Sullivan isn’t the problem in Pittsburgh; the GM (certainly directed by ownership) is the problem. They are in a very bad situation. And it’s not Sullivan’s fault.

Wanna know how I know you don't watch Penguins games?

 

[Sideline]

What is Pittsburgh doing? Honestly. Are they still thinking they can compete for a cup?

If the goal is tanking then Sullivan is a good option to keep wracking up Ls. They don't have much in the way of ready for the NHL youth you worry about him ruining this year. No reason to pay 2 guys to coach your loser team when you're already getting the loses from 1 guy.

 

[BallardEra]

What is Pittsburgh doing? Honestly. Are they still thinking they can compete for a cup?

That was their plan coming into this season and why Crosby signed for 2 more years.