If Not Mike Sullivan, Who Coaches the Penguins?

Only five games into what’s been a disappointing 2-3 start to the season, Penguins fans are disgruntled and with good reason. With the blockbuster addition of Erik Karlsson and the overhaul of our defense and bottom six, most of us had high hopes for a dramatic turnaround.

Unfortunately, it’s been SOP (same old Penguins). Same defensive breakdowns. Same uninspired play. Same so-so results.

There are even rumblings among Penguins Nation that long-time coach Mike Sullivan should be replaced.

My personal take? I think our ownership group, FSG, should have fired Sullivan as part of the management purge at the end of last season. Not because he isn’t a good coach, with some caveats. To my eye, he’s simply been here too long. Under Sully’s hand the team seems perpetually stale, grooved in its imperfection so to speak.

Every coach has a shelf life, at least in a given locale. I felt like Sullivan had reached his expiration date in the ‘Burgh.

Too, I believe the Pens could benefit from a new voice in the locker room and behind the bench. Perhaps a fresh approach systematically, one that better fits the talent on hand.

To draw a football analogy, Chuck Noll coached the Steelers for 23 years and won four Super Bowls. An achievement that rightly earned him enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, during his final seven seasons at the helm the Steelers became mired in mediocrity, making the playoffs just once while compiling a record of 51-60.

After leading the team to a 7-9 mark in 1991, the legendary coach “got on with his life’s work,” to coin one of his favorite phrases. The following season fiery young coach Bill Cowher led largely the same team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth.

Sometimes change is not only good, it’s necessary.

Let’s say for the sake of argument, Kyle Dubas is considering a coaching change (which, I need to be crystal clear, he most assuredly isn’t). Who would he hire to replace Sullivan?

There’s the rub.

Most of the more attractive coaching candidates (Capitals coach Spencer Carbery for one) have landed gigs with other teams. At the present, the pickins among potential candidates are pretty slim.

I’ve seen Bruce Boudreau mentioned. The 68-year-old skipper has enjoyed great success over his 15-season NHL coaching career, including stints with Washington, Anaheim, Minnesota and Vancouver. He would likely promote the same offensive style the Pens like to play. However, Bruce was pretty much run out of town during his last stint with the Canucks by Jim Rutherford, replaced by ex-Pens assistant Rick Tocchet. Who, in a perfect world, would’ve been my choice to succeed Sullivan.

Water obviously well under the bridge and downstream at this stage.

Who else is available?

Gerard Gallant. He famously guided the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and led the Rangers to the Conference Finals in 2022. Yet his contract on Broadway was not renewed following a disappointing first-round exit last spring and he’s been fired three previous times.

From what I can glean, Gallant isn’t a brilliant tactician or Xs and Os guy. To the contrary, he’s more of a turn ‘em loose and let ‘em play type, which may (or may not) be a good fit for our Pens.

What does intrigue me about Gallant? A battler during his playing days (think Chris Kunitz on steroids), he openly embraces the physical side of the game, which would be a welcome and IMHO needed departure from Sullivan.

Still, I’d be hard-pressed to say he’d be an upgrade.

As for in-house options, both Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci have head coaching experience. The Capitals actually nudged Barry Trotz aside to promote Reirden, but quickly soured on him following a pair of first-round exits. Vellucci won the Calder Cup (the AHL’s Stanley Cup) with Charlotte in 2019.

If promoted, would they perpetuate Sullivan’s systems or seek to install their own? Especially in Reirden’s case, our power play and defense…his bailiwicks…don’t cast him in a favorable light.

Barring a total collapse, the Pens may be best served to stick with Sullivan…for now.

The Road Ahead

The load doesn’t get any lighter for the locals. Our next three opponents, the Stars, Avs and Senators, have a combined record of 11-2-1. Not exactly what the doctor ordered for a team struggling to find its way.

Pernicious Prediction

I’ve held back from putting this in writing, mostly because I hate all things Philly. (Well, not all things…I actually like the Phillies).

Call it a gut feeling. But I think when all is said and done, we’re going to finish behind the Flyers in the Metro standings this season. They’re young, spirited and hungry…essentially all the things we’re not. Well coached by John Tortorella, too.

There, I’ve said it. Hopefully I’ve invoked the PenguinPoop curse and things will turn out the polar opposite of what I anticipate. They usually do.