Penguins Dismiss Mike Johnston

The Penguins have dismissed head coach Mike Johnston. The move was announced today by general manager Jim Rutherford at a press conference at Consol Energy Center. Assistant coach Gary Agnew was relieved of his duties as well.

“I felt with where we are right now (fifth place in the Metropolitan Division), and how we’ve played over the first part of this season, that this team has more to give,” Rutherford explained.

Mike Sullivan, 47, was promoted from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to replace Johnston. Rick Tocchet remains in place as an assistant coach. Jacques Martin moves from the press box to the bench.

Sullivan, who guided the Baby Pens to a red-hot 18-5 start, has prior NHL coaching experience. In 2003-04 the Massachusetts native led the Bruins to a 41-19-15-7 record and a Northeast Division title. He was fired following a sub-.500 season in 2005-06. More recently, he served as interim coach for six games with Vancouver in 2013-14.

Prior to his coaching career, the Boston University grad played for four teams during an NHL career that spanned 11 seasons and 709 games. A penalty killer and defensive specialist, Sullivan tallied 54 goals and 136 points before retiring as an active player in 2002.

“I believe he’s the guy who can come in and really take control and really make some guys more accountable when we’re not performing,” Rutherford said. “He really is a demanding and take-control guy. And in some ways … he reminds me of a coach that I had a lot of success with, Peter Laviolette.”

Johnston, 58, signed a three-year deal in the summer of 2014. He led the Pens to a blazing start in 2014-15 (22-6-4 through December 20). However, the team bogged down in the New Year, going 21-21-8 the rest of the way—including a dreadful 4-9-2 down the stretch. The black and gold secured a playoff berth on the final day of the season but succumbed to the Rangers in five games—their quickest postseason exit since 2007.

This season the Pens were 15-10-3 under the scholarly coach, including a six-game winning streak. But with stars (Sidney Crosby) and secondary scorers (Patric Hornqvist) alike struggling to produce the team languished offensively (27th in goals). A tepid power play (15.6 percent success rate) was a particular bone of contention. So, too, were questionable personnel decisions and the club’s perceived lack of competitive fire.

“We have some areas where we need to be a lot better,” Rutherford said. “We have to have more will to win. Our power play has to be better.”