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The Real Reasons Behind Mike Sullivan's Firing, According to Kyle Dubas


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Tom Banks
April 28, 2025  (1:19 PM)
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Mike Sullivan, former Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Photo credit: WETM

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved on from Mike Sullivan on Monday, and according to Kyle Dubas, it was simply time for both sides to part ways.

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins parted ways with their long-term Head Coach Mike Sullivan, and now, we are starting to receive answers from Kyle Dubas on how the whole process went down.
The first thing that the General Manager noted was that Sullivan earned tremendous respect in Pittsburgh, and he'll leave the organization in a much better place than it was in when he arrived.
"He'll move on from the Penguins having left an incredible mark on the franchise... beyond the success on the bench is the mark he's left on the people here in this room... he meant a great deal to them and many people in this community.»
Dubas also revealed that throughout the season, a season where the Penguins missed their third straight Stanley Cup Playoffs that he thought it may simply be time to move on.
«There were times throughout the year where it may just be time.»
Reportedly, the conversations with Sullivan were amicable, and according to Dubas, there was no disagreement that it was time for both parties to simply move on from one another.
«It was just time. I don't think there's disagreement on that front.»
Finally, the GM revealed that Sullivan didn't make any demands as it pertains to remaining Head Coach of the organization, confirming that it was an amicable split between the two parties.
Ultimately, Sullivan was an incredible Head Coach for the Penguins, winning two Stanley Cups and having a great record, but now, he's moving on, and he'll likely be great elsewhere after this stint, but it was just time for both parties to part ways.
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The Real Reasons Behind Mike Sullivan's Firing, According to Kyle Dubas

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