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Mike Sullivan Makes Major Announcement on his Future as Penguins Coach
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has been facing increased scrutiny in recent years, and is speaking out about his future behind the Pittsburgh bench.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last 2 years running, and are in danger of missing for a 3rd straight year; it would mark the longest playoff drought of Sidney Crosby's career if they don't ultimately get in.
The calls for firing head coach Mike Sullivan, who has been behind the Pittsburgh bench for nearly a decade, have been growing louder in recent years from frustrated fans.
But as Sullivan himself said, he's not going anywhere..
don't even think about it. I have incredible loyalty to this organization. I'm grateful for the opportunity to coach this team. It's been a privilege to coach this team, to be a part of this organization. I have a certain loyalty to all of the people who are a part of it here.
This is an organization that has enjoyed its share of success. Lately, we've hit some bumps in the road. But that doesn't deter me from wanting to do my job. Just because it gets hard, that doesn't make you want to quit.
Where we are as an organization, I don't think it's caught anybody by surprise. It's an inevitable evolution. We're doing everything in our power to try and navigate this as best we can, to be as competitive as we can as quickly as possible. And all I want is to help this organization win.
Where we are as an organization, I don't think it's caught anybody by surprise. It's an inevitable evolution. We're doing everything in our power to try and navigate this as best we can, to be as competitive as we can as quickly as possible. And all I want is to help this organization win.
Does Sullivan hear the criticism? Of course.
Of course I hear it. I'm not stupid.
He then had a message for fans who are opposed to his strategy of prioritizing veteran players over giving younger players bigger roles.
I would argue against it. The players I put on the ice are the guys I think are going to give us the best chance to win. That's it.
I don't care how old they are. Look back at our two Stanley Cup teams. There were five guys we called up from Wilkes-Barre on those teams, and nobody knew who they were.
Conor Sheary played with Sidney Crosby and nobody knew who Conor Sheary was. Don't tell me I'm not willing to put out young guys in prominent roles. I'm absolutely willing to put them in prominent roles. But they have to be effective and they've got to be ready.
I don't care how old they are. Look back at our two Stanley Cup teams. There were five guys we called up from Wilkes-Barre on those teams, and nobody knew who they were.
Conor Sheary played with Sidney Crosby and nobody knew who Conor Sheary was. Don't tell me I'm not willing to put out young guys in prominent roles. I'm absolutely willing to put them in prominent roles. But they have to be effective and they've got to be ready.
Sullivan has coached the Penguins to 4 straight wins to give them a mathematical chance at the postseason - can he keep it going?
| POLL | ||
MARS 19 | 409 ANSWERS Mike Sullivan Makes Major Announcement on his Future as Penguins Coach Do the Penguins need to move on from head coach Mike Sullivan? | ||
| Yes | 193 | 47.2 % |
| No | 216 | 52.8 % |
| List of polls | ||