The Pittsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan have agreed to part ways.
Details: https://t.co/9AB8bPOijI pic.twitter.com/lPeZXj3HC1
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 28, 2025
After 10 years, 753 wins and two Stanley Cup Championships, the Pittsburgh Penguins have fired head coach Mike Sullivan.
And I know all reports are saying the two parties mutually “parted ways” but with 2 years left in his contract and the Pens just missing the postseason (for the third consecutive season), Pittsburgh GM, Kyle Dubas, is respectfully allowing Sullivan to leave with grace.
Mike Sullivan is the winningest coach in Penguins history and was the second-longest tenured coach behind Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay.
Here’s what future Hall of Famer, Sidney Crosby, said about the departure of Mike Sullivan:
“He did an amazing job over the last 10 years here with his preparation and commitment to winning. Personally, he pushed me to be better everyday, and I learned a lot from him. We shared some great memories together, and I am grateful for his time here and everything he did for us.”
Aw.
But it’s time to move on. Sid the Kid and Evgeni Malkin don’t have many years left in this league. Pittsburgh needs to replace Sullivan with a coach who can catapult this organization back into title contention.
3 Potential Mike Sullivan replacements
1. Todd Nelson: Let’s keep it local. Shout out to my beloved Hershey Bears. Todd Nelson has led the club to 3 AHL Championships and it’s time for my guy to take his talents to the big leagues.
2. David Carle: If Pittsburgh is looking for another 10 years of excellence, look no further than 35-year-old David Carle over at Denver University. He’s coached the 2022 and 2024 college hockey national champions and he’s got a couple gold medals at home from his time coaching the US junior team.
3. Kirk MacDonald: I don’t know much about MacDonald outside of the fact that he currently coaches the Penguins minor league team so it would be an easy in-house promotion. Not sure this leads to winning titles but it certainly makes everyone’s job easier.
I Just Don’t Have What It Takes To Be As Successful as Pat McAfee
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