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Erik Karlsson Takes a Subtle Shot at Former Head Coach Mike Sullivan in New Interview
This evening in a new interview with Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Erik Karlsson decided to take a dig at his former head coach Mike Sullivan.
Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins underperformed immensely and one of the players who struggled the most was Erik Karlsson who looked downright terrible some nights.
After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Penguins parted ways with Sullivan and hired their current head coach Dan Muse instead.
Now, just a few weeks into Muse's tenure, Karlsson has taken a dig at his former head coach while praising Muse.
Erik Karlsson Disses Former Head Coach Mike Sullivan
During a recent sit down interview with Josh Yohe of The Athletic, Karlsson spoke about the team's hot start to the year and what has changed from last season.
He first spoke about the increased belief within the locker room and having more confidence after every single win that this team can compete for a playoff spot.
I think we are all feeling that. We feel like we're a good team right now. Look at how we've put together good games, the way we've controlled play, the way we've held on to pucks. That makes you believe a little bit more. And we are starting to believe.
Then, Karlsson complimented Muse for bringing them together as a team and putting every single player in the lineup in a position to succeed based on their skills.
Karlsson admits that this was something that had been severely lacking under former head coach Mike Sullivan.
We have good individual players. And now we're finally starting to feel good as a team. The roles are starting to slot in. You know what's expected of you. You do the things you're good at, and not the things that someone tells you to do, that you can't do.
These comments from Karlsson are a scathing indictment against Sullivan who especially towards the end of his Penguins tenure seemed to have lost touch with how to get the best out of his group.
Clearly something has changed from last year to this season as the Penguins are one of the best teams in the NHL and Karlsson is on pace for his best season as a Penguin by far.
As the season goes on, it will be fun to see if Dan Muse can keep unlocking the untapped potential of this immensely talented Penguins group.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 8 | 158 ANSWERS Erik Karlsson Takes a Subtle Shot at Former Head Coach Mike Sullivan in New Interview Do you think Mike Sullivan held the Penguins back from succeeding last season? | ||
| Yes | 135 | 85.4 % |
| No | 23 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||