One can never say what’s behind a GM’s decision to change up NHL coaches, so every time an announcement of a changeover is made, it leaves everyone feeling sort of shaken, especially when the team in question seems to have thrived under the same coach. Such is the case with Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who led the team to two consecutive Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and who also coached them through the franchise record of 409 wins. The last three years under Sullivan, however, have been stagnant, and maybe this is why GM Kyle Dubas felt it was time for a change.
It’s true, to have players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on your team and to have not made the playoffs for the past three years seems like a waste. But Dubas’ decision to part ways with Sullivan couldn’t have been made lightly; after all, it was just a few weeks ago that he called him an ‘elite level coach.’
However, it is official, and the Penguins announced today that they would be parting ways with their Mike Sullivan, their coach of ten years. Now, rumors have started to circulate that Sullivan, a proud Boston native, is in talks with the Bruins. But it shouldn’t go missed that the Rangers are currently looking for a new coach as well. This potential link to New York isn’t entirely new: back in 2021, Rangers GM Chris Drury had reportedly waited on Sullivan’s contract situation before ultimately hiring Gerard Gallant.
There has been a lot of chatter amongst hockey people about Mike Sullivan and the Boston Bruins for weeks. This is an interesting development https://t.co/CCC2qlqwiD
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 28, 2025
At the moment, it seems like this was a mutual and thoughtful decision to release a coach at a time when he will undoubtedly be receiving tons of other offers. Coaching vacancies at the moment include the Bruins, the Rangers, the Flyers, the Blackhawks, the Ducks, and the Kraken. And in the cutthroat world of competitive hockey, to release a successful coach to all this competition at this time seems like a rare and unusual thing.
Given his strong ties to the area and the current chatter, many believe Mike Sullivan could be leaning toward a homecoming with the Bruins.
This is a developing story…
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