Insider Report Explores New Details of the Painful Breakup Between Mike Sullivan and the Penguins
Photo credit: AP News
The Pittsburgh Penguins decided to move on from head coach Mike Sullivan, and even though they said it was mutual, Sullivan apparently didn't feel that way per a report from analyst Josh Yohe.
After they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 3rd straight year, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas made a major change in leadership behind the bench.
He dismissed head coach Mike Sullivan, who had been on the job nearly 10 years and won consecutive Stanley Cups, and hired former New York Rangers asisstant Dan Muse in his place.
Also joining Muse's staff was former Penguins forward Nick Bonino, who was part of those consecutive Stanley Cup-winning teams.
Even though the Penguins said that the split between them and Sullivan was mutual, a new report from Penguins analyst Josh Yohe says otherwise.
The Penguins called it a «mutual decision,» but there really was nothing mutual about it. Sullivan didn't want to leave Pittsburgh. His loyalty wouldn't let him leave. If it were up to Sullivan, he likely would've stayed with Crosby and the Penguins for as long as possible.
Dubas very politely nudged Sullivan from his head coaching perch because he believed his team needed new life and because Sullivan was never overly interested in a rebuild. The split hurt Sullivan and wasn't an easy time for the prideful coach whose loyalty to the organization. - Josh Yohe
Dubas very politely nudged Sullivan from his head coaching perch because he believed his team needed new life and because Sullivan was never overly interested in a rebuild. The split hurt Sullivan and wasn't an easy time for the prideful coach whose loyalty to the organization. - Josh Yohe
Sullivan eventually rebounded himself as the head coach of the New York Rangers after they fired Peter Laviolette after also missing the playoffs.
Mike Sullivan has won and lost vs. the Penguins so far with the Rangers
Sullivan didn't have to wait long to try and get a crack at his old team, as he and the Rangers hosted the Penguins in the 1st game of the year last week.
The Penguins spoiled the party at Madison Square Garden with a 3-0 win, but Sullivan and the Rangers got revenge only days later in Pittsburgh with a convincing 6-1 win at PPG Paints Arena.
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