In the wake of recent technical difficulties at PenguinPoop that kept the site offline for a while, I’m still in the process of getting caught up with myself on matters pertaining to our Penguins.
I especially wanted to address comments made by president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas last Wednesday. Specifically, what appeared to be a ringing endorsement of long-time Pens coach Mike Sullivan.
“I don’t think that there needs to be any discussion about Mike,” Dubas said. “As I will do with my own staff and any staff, I’ll sit down with Mike at the end of the year and go through his view of it, and we’ll be very thorough. But I know he has great belief in the work that they’re doing, and I see the work that they’re doing every day. Questions come because it hasn’t manifested itself consistently on the ice.”
Before I begin, I need to be clear. It isn’t my intent to make Sullivan a scapegoat for the Pens’ lukewarm showing this season. He can’t lace up the skates and lead the way on the ice, although sometimes I’m sure he wishes he could. He’s not the reason the team can’t finish. Nor is he the reason (at least not the sole one) the power play has struggled so. I’m sure he and his staff are preaching the right things. It’s just the message in some (okay, most) instances seems to be falling on deaf ears.
On the other hand, I don’t absolve Mike of responsibility for our predicament, either. I’m especially annoyed that he seems to wear a bullet-proof vest, or more accurately, one made of Teflon. Honest criticism seems to slide right off.
Count me among those who feel we could benefit from a new voice behind the bench. It isn’t that Sullivan’s a bad coach. I actually think he’s shown some growth and has done a better job of tailoring his system to fit the talent on hand. But nine seasons is an awfully long time to preside over the same core group, especially in the NHL where skippers are changed practically as often as socks and underwear. The message, no matter how well intentioned or delivered, is bound to get a little stale.
But enough preamble. Here are more excerpts from Dubas’ comments regarding our coach.
“He (Sullivan) takes this very seriously and takes the ups and downs very seriously,” Dubas said. “That’s the respect I’ve developed for him throughout the year. You know that from afar and when you get in with somebody it only helps you. So to me, with the coaching staff, I envision Mike Sullivan, based on what I’ve learned from him in our discussions this year, his ability to take the development of each individual player seriously, I think he’s the type of coach that can help you win. … He’s the type of coach that shows he can win but also that he can develop people.”
BANG. Red flag.
Sullivan’s ability to develop people?
I’m sure he can. But, in most instances, does he?
Once upon a time he was, indeed, kid friendly. Remember Conor Sheary, Tom Kuhnhackl and Matt Murray? All played prominent roles in our most recent Cup triumphs.
To be fair, Sullivan’s been navigating the narrow space between a rock and a hard place for several seasons. When the future is now, as it has been since we (he) won those back-to-back Cups, you aren’t necessarily afforded the luxury of developing kids and allowing them to play through their inevitable mistakes.
Nor has the Pens’ system been teeming with young talent. However, there have been occasional nuggets to mine. Forward Valtteri Puustinen for one.
In many ways the poster child for Sully’s treatment of kids, Puustinen has acquitted himself well since crossing the pond to play in North America as an obscure seventh-round pick in 2019. He led a weak Baby Pens team in scoring two years running while totaling a respectable 44 goals. During a one-game cameo back on March 11, 2022, he assisted on our second goal and finished a plus-2 during a 5-2 victory over Vegas, in the process drawing positive reviews from Sullivan.
“I think he has a game that could play up and down the lineup,” our coach said at time. “I think when you look at Puusty’s game, his greatest strengths are his offensive instincts, his ability to finish. He can really shoot the puck. For me that’s the area of the game where I think Puusty excels. If and when we do put him in the lineup, we’re going to try to put him in a position where he can play to those strengths.”
Then Puustinen disappeared…sent back to the Baby Pens to work on his skating, conditioning and defensive play. He toiled exclusively for season and change in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton until his recall this past December.
The spunky 24-year-old winger has had an immediate impact. In addition to injecting a much needed jolt of youthful energy and zip into a veteran team sorely in need of some, Puusty tallied a goal and seven points in his first 10 games.
Coincidence or not, he proved to be a boon to the power play. During a seven-game stretch when he averaged over two minutes of man-advantage ice time, we converted at a 22.5 percent clip (7-for-31). For reference, we’re 20-for-153 (13.1 percent) for the rest of the season.
Obviously, Puustinen had a positive impact. Just how positive? We’re 14-6-5 with him in the lineup versus 12-15-3 without him. In games where he’s played at least 10 minutes? We’re 10-2-3!
I wonder if Sullivan or anyone associated with the team realizes that. Talk about needing what he provides!
Yet when Bryan Rust returned from an injury to start the New Year, Puustinen was predictably shunted aside and his ice time was drastically reduced, culminating in a season-low 5:31 during a 3-1 loss to the Sabres on January 6. To put that in perspective, over four minutes less than fourth-line (and goalless) mucker Jansen Harkins.
When it comes to kids, how quickly Sully forgets.
Sent to the Baby Pens at the All-Star break, presumably to get playing time, Puustinen wasn’t among the recalls following the break. It took Jake Guentzel’s injury for the Pens to summon the peppery Finn.
He’s rewarded us with a goal and two assists (and a plus-4) in his past three games heading into tonight’s clash with the Canucks. Once again, drawing praise from his coach.
“I thought he was forechecking well,” Sullivan said following our recent victory over Montréal. “I think he has good poise with the puck. He has good offensive instincts. I think there’s an element of offense there that is untapped. He’s got a real good shot… I think he’s getting better with every game that he plays.”
Puusty appears to be back in his coach’s good graces. But for how long?
Given Sullivan’s track record, a fair question to ask.
For every Guentzel and Rust, there’s been a Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty. For every Drew O’Connor, a Zach Aston-Reese. Players who displayed some promise early on before eventually chafing under Sullivan’s hand. To say nothing of Daniel Sprong, who’s emerged as the bottom-six finisher we could so desperately use after being chased out of town by our coach.
On defense, Marcus Pettersson has blossomed. John Marino plateaued and regressed before being dealt. Four years into his black-and-gold career, Pierre-Olivier Joseph remains an enigma.
Player development isn’t an exact science. Nobody does it perfect and nobody gets it right 100 percent of the time. So many factors go into it, not the least of which is a player’s own makeup, physically, psychologically and otherwise. Kasperi Kapanen comes to mind as a player who possesses all the tools but not the intangibles.
Nor is all young talent created equal. Some players are destined to make a splash. Others aren’t.
Still, I’m wary of the way Sullivan handles the kids under his watch. I get the sense he’s a little too quick to judge. A little too impatient. A little too knee-jerk when it comes to pulling the plug.
Our team is liable to look very different next season. Any (or many) of Guentzel, Reilly Smith, Lars Eller, Noel Acciari, Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic could be gone by the trade deadline. According to Dubas, to be replaced to at least some degree by younger players.
I’m not certain Sullivan’s the man who should be overseeing their development.
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Should Sully preside over the Penguins retool? NO! Should Kyle Dumbass reside of the Penguins retool, absolutely NO!!! Now we know why the Leafs ridded themselves media of this over-inflated, supposedly young mind. If you think Hextall was bad, wait until this guy is done or when the Pens ownership will fire him. I will officially call him Kyle Dumbass , the Pens resident Village Idiot of the NHL Hockey World. I was concerned when Hyman was allowed to walk at Toronto under his tenure and his for talent is substandard (signing Matt Murray aka Rock Hand to an overpriced contact). And what about this year's acquisitions from our very own resident Boy Genius? The team is imploding with underwhelming NHL talent on the Payroll and an overpaid, aging Norris trophy winner as his signature trades. But this has been officially surpassed by the Jake Guentzel deal. Retaining $1.5 million of his contract while acquiring a third line scrub and 2nd rate prospects??? This is the start of the Pens Retool??? Clearly, Kyle Dumbass's IO is matching that of his GM predecessor, Hextall. If Crosby walks, this franchise will find itself with an PPG empty house and in financial trouble in a very short time period. The sooner the Pens jettison stage Dumb(Sully) and Dumber (Kyle DA), the better. This is a dark age for Penguins Hockey.
Let me properly rephrase my comments above. As an ardent Pens fan, I was highly upset about Dubas trade last night. My biggest fear outside managements reluctance to Fire Sully, is the incompetence of our present President/GM Kyle Dubas. I don't believe he has an eye for talent and his plans for retooling the Pens will be a disaster. In the same fashion Hextall dismantled the team from youth and speed to age and experience, Dubas is stockpiling the organization with quantity and not quality players. We have received disposable (7, 8, 9) prospects from Carolina. He got fleeced by Carolina. There is a high probability they will either not make the NHL or be small 3rd or 4th line scrubs. And most important, Bunting for Guentzel and only a 2nd round draft pick (1st round only if Carolina makes the final) is absurd. . The dumbass just gave away a 1st line winger and PP specialist to a rival in our own division. If Sid does not sign this summer, the franchise could be in fiscal trouble in a very short time period. PPG could be empty as soon as next year.
Fire Sullivan. 62 points in second to last place in Metro. He develops little to none new talent. He cost the Pens a third cup in 18 When the Bonehead wanted Brassard and gave up our muscle and grit on Defense. Crosby proceeded to get beat up in the 2019 playoffs that year along with our other stars. He should have been gone in 2019. Waay Overrated. Send him back ti Beantown where he belongs,
Amen!!! Detroit Dave
Frist off this gm needs to trade karlsson for Draft picks for upcoming season and another d man because Pittsburgh has to get the next superstar in Pittsburgh for the next 10 plus years. Next trade harry for a young good goalie.jake Fuentes for a top no 1 pick and a good 30 goal scorer. Find some good Defensemen over the summer then built from there most. Of all these guys are just getting checks nothing to show for. As for Malkin goes sit him down end of season see if he has anymore gas left. And just try to make playoffs because they can still do it.
Hey Dan,
Zadorov and Hanafin are both UFA this summer. Hanafin may be asking for too much, not sure. It has been reported that Calgary put an 8 year contract in front of him that he hasn't signed, but I am not sure if it is the money or if he just wants out of Calgary.
Also, if you are looking for a D-man, Vegas is potential suitor for Guentzel, Dubas could trade him to the Knights for a number 1 and Nick Hague. I know you were looking for a 30 G scorer for Jake but I wouldn't mind having a 6'-6" 230lb D-man on this roster.
If you would rather my second option would be talk to our old buddy JR, who loves to over pay. They don't have a number 1 pick this year to trade us, but they do next year, so I would ask for their No 1 next season, Ilya Mikheyev, and Nikita Zadorov, but with the proviso of getting Zadorov and extension. Now I have either 2 number `1 picks next season or if we fall low enough this season and choose to keep this seasons top 10 pick and give San Jose next years, we would still have a 1st round pick both seasons.
A couple of weeks back I wanted Dubas to sell him to Arizona, while they still looked like Yotes could make the playoffs, mainly to get a better draft pick and a former number one pick that I wanted our Pens to take Maveric Lamoureux, plus a mid range winger, but that ship has sailed. Az is fading.
Apparently Dubas has been getting calls on Jarry, if so, take the best deal.
But I am not sure if the team can deal Karlsson, not sure there is any takers for his salary, even if he asks for a trade.
Finally someone is bold enough 2 lay it all out in the open. Thank U. Now can we usher Sully out of town. I live in Fla. So please don't send him here .I don't know how long Sid plans on staying but let's make the move NOW. Say goodbye 2 Malkin,Letang,Karlson,and a few others not worth a dime. New Blood 4 the Pens Please. I'm 70 yrs old & want 2 C a few more banners hangin in them rafters. Geeesh I'm tired now. LETS GO PENS
Rick,
FIrst, a hard NO!!! Sullivan should have been fired after the loss to the Capitals in 2018 when he contradicted his GM in the media saying that Kessel wasn't hurt during that aborted Cup run.
Second, Sullivan didn't win 2 - Stanley Cups. He was on a team that won 2 Cups. Kunitz has had 5 Cup Appearances with 4 Cup wins, only 2 with Sullivan. MAF has been in 5 Cup Finals with 3 Cup victories, only 2 under Sullivan. Crosby, Malkin, and Letang have had 4 Cup appearances and 3 Victories, only 2 with Sullivan. Cullen has been to the Finals 3 times with all 3 victories, only 2 with Sullivan. Kessel didn't play in the Finals all 3 finals of the teams he played for, but he was part of 3 teams that made it to the finals, only twice with Sullivan.
Sullivan hasn't even been out of the 2nd round without MAF, Cullen, and Kunitz and out of the 1st round without Kessel (a player Sully couldn't get along with and ushered out of Pgh).
Sullivan was part of those teams but he was only a little more important than Kevin Porter, who was on both of those Cup teams. He is one of the most over-rated coaches in the league and perhaps the most over-rated coach in Penguins' history.
MAF pretty much won that 2nd Cup for Sullivan. If not for MAF our Penguins don't get out of the Caps series. Sullivan's system had our Penguins as the 2nd worst CORSI team in that playoff year. MAF was under full assault. After the Capital siege, MAF had nothing left, Murray then had to stand up to the Senators attacks.
Sullivan has been riding the Coat tails of some of the best talent to play in Pgh.
Hey Other Rick,
I think we agree in principle on this issue, if not our overall assessment of Sullivan.
Like you, I was on the anti-Sully side of the fence for a number of years. And like you, I wanted him gone after last season.
I don’t know what’s transpired to change my thinking, but my overall view of him has shifted and softened this season…oddly during what very well may wind up as his worst season, record-wise.
Maybe I’ve come to appreciate the many positives he brings to the table…his intelligence, his sincere desire to win, the way he treats and communicates with his players, his hockey props. My main beef with him has mostly been over the perceived limitations he placed on roster construction, his (again perceived) unwillingness to adjust his system and his short leash when it comes to kids.
As for those Cup victories? Obviously, the players had a great deal to do with them. Fleury was, indeed, heroic in 2017, especially against the Caps. I don’t think we get out that series without him standing on his head.
However, I disagree with your assertion that Sullivan was merely a passenger and that we won despite his input. I just don’t think that sort of thing happens. Certainly not two years in a row. He had to get buy-in from the players for those championships to occur. He had to do at least some things right.
As for the Kessel incident. If you look at anybody’s body of work, you’ll find some low moments to pick at. But those don’t define a whole career.
My biggest bone to pick with him was the behind-the-scenes role (again perceived) he played in unloading Ian Cole and Ryan Reaves during the ’18 stretch run for Derick Brassard. And again, his perceived role in the return-to-Smurfdom roster construction of ’19-20.
To his credit, he seems to have evolved to a degree, embracing the likes of bigger players like Jeff Carter, Brian Boyle and Drew O’Connor and guys with a rougher edge like John Ludvig.
I do think we could benefit from a new voice behind the bench and perhaps a fresh approach. But I don't think Sully's a bad coach.
Rick
Hey Rick,
At this point I don't care why Sullivan is dumped, so long as he is dumped. The HC is the biggest impediment to this team right now.
I am not going to argue anymore about the HCs limitations, I have iterated and reiterated all of my complaints about him too many times to want to chew on that cud.