Penguins Update: Is It Time for Sullivan to Go?

There are lots of folks who think the Penguins’ Mike Sullivan rates among the top coaches in hockey. There’s plenty of evidence to support those claims. Two Stanley Cups for starters (Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper and Calgary’s Darryl Sutter are the only active coaches with as many). Seven straight postseason appearances. The winningest bench boss in black-and-gold history.

It’s safe to say Sullivan revolutionized the game when he took over as our skipper in 2015. At a time when much of the NHL employed a heavier approach, Sullivan championed speed, an aggressive forecheck and puck possession. The other clubs quickly followed his lead. Colorado’s the latest team to hoist a Cup following Sully’s blueprint.

Passionate, intelligent and well-spoken, he’s an excellent motivator and communicator. A straight shooter who calls ‘em like he’s sees ‘em. All the while walking a thin line between being overly harsh and too soft. Were it not so, his players would’ve revolted long ago. (Remember Michel Therrien?)

By all accounts, the Pens have a good “room.” Sullivan certainly has a hand in fostering that.

A quality person, too.

Having given credit where credit due, is it time for him to go?

Yes, you heard me right.

The Pens’ present maladies are disturbing to say the least. Eerily reminiscent of our 0-6-1 stretch earlier in the season. Not showing up for games. (Sorry, the Islanders disgrace still sticks in my craw.) Not protecting leads when we do. We seem to be inventing new ways to lose or reprising old ones. All the while bleeding off precious points.

Injuries have played a part, stripping away the team’s top two defensemen and 2/3rds of a fairly effective fourth line, exposing depth issues and flaws that certainly aren’t of Sullivan’s doing. The sudden, shocking and steep decline of former defensive stalwart Brian Dumoulin hasn’t helped matters.

But neither has Sullivan’s questionable and at times downright baffling deployment of his troops. He’s shortened his bench, ridiculously so. Aging stars Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang (when healthy) and Evgeni Malkin are logging huge minutes, at mid-season mind you, while comparatively fresh legs like Kasperi Kapanen and Pierre-Olivier Joseph have been shunted to the margins.

Indeed, while Kapanen, who scored the lone Pens’ goal, was limited to 7:21 of ice time in the Winter Classic, Joseph saw just 12:25 of ice time while Dumoulin logged over 19 minutes. For the record, POJ’s been on the ice for 27 goals for 5v5 and only 14 against this season.

Dumo? Nineteen goals for and a staggering 33 against 5v5, including both goals against the Bruins. Yet he keeps getting shoved out there at crunch time while others are held back.

Old habits are the toughest to break. So are old loyalties.

Right now Dumoulin’s being put in a position to fail. So is the team.

It’s not an anomaly but rather de rigueur under Sullivan. Against Detroit, Kapanen set up our first two goals and was limited to 7:20 of ice time. It could’ve been worse. Drew O’Connor scored his first goal of the season and was limited to eight shifts (5:11 TOI). He’s been a healthy scratch the last two games.

Personnel decisions like that we don’t need, especially when every point counts.

However, once Sully sours on a player, there’s no turning back. It seems like that describes half our roster right now. That just can’t be.

Then there’s the obstinance. The unwillingness to adjust. No kids. No physical players. At least none who might inspire the team with a big hit or (gasp) a fight on nights when the skill guys just don’t have it.

There are whole breeds of hockey player we’ll never see as long as Sullivan’s our coach.

I’m tired of living with the restrictions and his narrow preferences for roster construction.

I’m not saying another coach would lead us to a Stanley Cup. That ship has sailed. The Pens are entering the final throes of the championship cycle, when even the best of teams succumb to the inexorable tide of age and erosion of talent. But a new coach might bring a new energy and a fresh perspective. A renewed sense of purpose. In the process perhaps teaching a collection of old dogs some new tricks.

It happened before, back in 2015. Remember?

Parting ways with Sullivan would not be easy. In addition to his considerable achievements, he’s signed for four more seasons after this one. There would be pain, financial and otherwise, in the parting.

But every coach has a shelf life. With all due respect, I think Sullivan may be approaching his. At least in the ‘Burgh.