Ex-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas Makes His Biggest Mistake Yet With the Pittsburgh Penguins
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
As the Pittsburgh Penguins enter a rebuild, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas may have just made his biggest mistake with the organization yet, firing head coach Mike Sullivan.
On Monday morning, following another disappointing season without making the playoffs, Penguins president and GM Kyle Dubas shocked the NHL when he announced that the team had parted ways with long-time head coach Mike Sullivan.
Sullivan joined the Penguins in December of 2015 and was the second-longest tenured head coach behind Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning before his dismissal on Monday.
Leading the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, Sullivan has widely been considered one of the top coaches in the league for a long time, but as the Pens prepare for new era when Sidney Crosby's 2-year extension ends, Dubas felt a new voice was needed.
"This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but as we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved," said Dubas at the end of his statement.
Sullivan had two years remaining on his contract, but given the number of vacancies across the NHL currently, as well as the demand for a coach of his reputation, he will have no trouble finding a new team this summer.
Some may think the Penguins needed to make this change earlier, but Sullivan was Sidney Crosby's guy, so it will be interesting to see his reaction to the new coach and whether it makes him second guess his plan of ending his career with the Penguins.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 3209 ANSWERS Ex-Leafs GM Kyle Dubas Makes His Biggest Mistake Yet With the Pittsburgh Penguins Do you think firing Mike Sullivan was a mistake by Kyle Dubas? | ||
| Yes | 1527 | 47.6 % |
| No, they needed a change | 1031 | 32.1 % |
| Depends who they replace him with | 651 | 20.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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