Pittsburgh Penguins Fire Coach Mike Sullivan After Tenure

The Pittsburgh Penguins have parted ways with head coach Mike Sullivan after a decade, during which he led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017 but failed to reach the playoffs for the past three seasons. General manager Kyle Dubas explained the move was prompted by a need for new leadership as the team transitions from relying on veteran stars to developing younger talent. Dubas emphasized the decision was not influenced by captain Sidney Crosby, who was only informed of the change, and reaffirmed his confidence that Crosby would remain with the team. The search for the next head coach will be broad, with Dubas seeking someone who can both nurture emerging players and maximize the remaining years of the team’s veteran core. Sullivan, who holds the franchise records for both regular-season and postseason wins, is expected to be a top candidate for coaching vacancies across the NHL. The organization publicly expressed gratitude for Sullivan’s contributions, highlighting his lasting impact on the franchise.