Coach Mike Sullivan has enjoyed plenty of success at the NHL level behind the benches, but how much of that success is actually due to his coaching?
The Cup Runs
Sully won back-to-back Stanley Cups in his first two seasons as the Penguins' head coach in 2016 and 2017.
In 2016 the offensive production was not otherworldly in the regular season, but in the playoffs, the Penguins were led by unconscious performances from Phil Kessel, Sidney Crosby, and 21 games from Matt Murray and his .923 SV%.
In 2017, the Penguins were arguably even better with the emergence of Jake Guentzel, a great second season from Patric Hornqvist, and a wild performances by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Not to mention both Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray combining for five shutouts and 2.19 GAA in the playoffs.
In the two Stanley Cup seasons, the Penguins won six games by way of an overtime goal. That's a pretty staggering number considering the weight of some of them. Think about how different history would be without Chris Kunitz against the Ottawa Senators in 2OT in Game 7.
Radio Sync'd Highlight: Kunitz's 2OT goal sends the Pens back to the Stanley Cup Finals, w/ Mike Lange's radio call. pic.twitter.com/bnjFF1Z1kc
— Benstonium (@Benstonium) May 26, 2017
The Falloff Since 2018
Since 2016 and 2017, the roster falloff is notable. We don't have the Carl Hagelin, Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino 3rd line anymore. I don't think people realize how legendary that line was.
For reference, the Penguins' third line in their most recent game was Emil Bemstrom, Valisy Ponomarev, and Philip Tomasino. Nothing against any of them, but the HBK line as a bottom six forward line is utterly ridiculous.
I asked Nick Bonino if he considers his line with Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel a third line. His response: "We're just the 'HBK Line.' "
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 3, 2016
The Penguins' playoff woes have continued ever since their heartbreaking loss to the Washington Capitals in 2018. They've not won a playoff series since, even though they've been perennial playoff teams aside from the last two seasons.
The Case Against Sully
We as Penguins fans are incredibly spoiled in that we have a top-4 player in NHL history, another all-time great center, a Hall of Fame goaltender for many, many years, and a future Hall of Fame defenseman.
Subsequently, Mike Sullivan has been blessed with that same luxury as well, however, the difference is that he got them all in their prime. Now that the core is aging and beginning to fall off in production (minus Sid), Sully is starting to get exposed.
The high end talent can't bail him out anymore. In fact, 2023-24 was an excellent example of that with the power play. Scoring at just 15% on the man advantage with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jake Guentzel, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson is nothing short of ineptitude.
I know Todd Reirden was a large part of that, but Sullivan should have nipped it in the bud. It's a really bad look on a coach when the power play design for a top unit with five literal Hall of Famers is pushing levels of all time ineptitude.
Now, in 2025, Sullivan still doesn't have the luxury of deep levels of talent. In fact, what used to be considered high end talent is falling fast.
Kris Letang has been marginally average if not below average. Erik Karlsson has been good, but not future Hall of Fame good. Evgeni Malkin has his moments, but age is creeping up on him. Other than that, point to five more players that are standing on their head and capable of carrying the team.
Crosby, Rakell, Rust? Even those last two aren't going to carry your franchise.
Depth talent, again, is a luxury, and when you have it you need to cherish it - especially fans. But the lack of this talent is possibly shedding light on Mike Sullivan as a coach.
Tonight's USA vs Canada game in the Four Nations Faceoff will have lots of eyes on it. It might as well be Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. How Mike Sullivan handles tonight's game against a team that is objectively better that his will reveal a lot about him.
He has ridiculous talent as his disposal. This is arguably the best USA Hockey team we've ever seen. But Canada is objectively better.
Pay close attention tonight and see how the USA high end talent matches up against the Canada Hall of Fame talent.
What do you think? Is Mike Sullivan a shell of a coach that we once thought he was? Has his roster talent bailed him out all these years?
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