News out of Pittsburgh just hit the mainstream: Mike Sullivan is no longer the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh and Mike Sullivan are parting ways
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 28, 2025
A lot of the reports are very intentionally worded. The word "fired" is nowhere to be found. Even the official Penguins account with the news release is very soft in its delivery.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan have agreed to part ways.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 28, 2025
Details: https://t.co/9AB8bPOijI pic.twitter.com/lPeZXj3HC1
Mike Sullivan seemed to be 50/50 on his job security coming through this offseason, and we even looked at coaching vacancy options that he might leave Pittsburgh for. Based on the nature of this departure, Sully might see greener pastures elsewhere.
If this is a mutual parting, then Mike Sullivan undoubtedly had a say in the matter. Kyle Dubas seemed to have plans for Sullivan in the next phase of Penguins contention. He is part of those plans no longer.
Fan reaction
Most normal-thinking Penguins fans are thankful for Sully's tenure as a Penguin, and this is the correct response. He was the second longest tenured head coach in the NHL, and that is no coincidence. He is one of the most successful American-born coaches in NHL history as well.
There is also plenty of celebration among Penguins fans. Three straight years missing the playoffs and lack of a playoff series win since 2018 are certain grounds for change.
The recent drought can't be mentioned without the back-to-back Stanley Cup championships Sully led the way to. Sullivan was a mixed bag. Lots of success early, not much recently.
s/o Sully for the cups. 2016 & 2017 will forever be some of my favorite memories. stamped a generation of penguins hockey that will be the stuff of legend
— matt (@yinzzzerr) April 28, 2025
What comes next?
Now the Penguins join several other teams, including two other Metro Division teams, in having a coaching vacancy. Stability would have been to the Penguins' advantage if they kept Sullivan, but now the task of bringing Pittsburgh back to the playoffs will be someone else's responsibility.
John Tortorella and Peter Laviolette are recent Metro coaches without a home. In a grievous turn of events, I could see the coaching carousel come around to Pittsburgh with the three of them trading spots.
Do I want that? Absolutely not. We'll flesh out other options as they present themselves.
Along with the big free agent and trade block decisions Kyle Dubas has to make this offseason, picking who will guide the helm now rises to one of the priorities.
The Penguins need to tread carefully.