Penguins' Mike Sullivan addresses hiring of Kyle Dubas

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan reacted Friday to the club hiring former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas as its new president of hockey operations. 

"Kyle and I had a couple of conversations just around the identity of the Penguins, how the Penguins have had success, trying to set the team up to play to their strengths," Sullivan told reporters during a video conference, per Seth Rorabaugh of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "And I’ve always looked at our core group of players in trying to play a style of play that lends to their strengths. I think Kyle is very much aligned with the identity of the Penguins and how the Penguins have had success." 

Fenway Sports Group ownership blew up Pittsburgh's front office after the organization's historic postseason streak ended earlier this spring. Meanwhile, the Leafs and Dubas broke up shortly after the Florida Panthers eliminated Toronto from the playoffs in May. 

Sullivan is under contract through the 2026-27 season and insisted last month he isn't going anywhere despite rumors and stories linking him with the New York Rangers. Rangers reporter Larry Brooks of the New York Post subsequently suggested Sullivan and Dubas may find themselves on different pages in Pittsburgh, but the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach indicated Friday that's not the case. 

"My initial impression is that I think we share a lot of similar ideas and philosophies on just the evolution of the game and the evolution of the NHL and where it’s going and which teams are having success and why," Sullivan said about discussions he had with Dubas before the hire became official on Thursday. 

Sullivan added he and Dubas "shared a lot of the same thoughts and ideas on where our team is at and how we can improve and get better and what the challenges are." 

Cody Flavell of The Hockey News named Sullivan the "Penguins' biggest winner" of the Dubas hiring and noted Dubas said Thursday he believes Sullivan "could coach forever." The Rangers seemingly understand Sullivan isn't an option for them ahead of the summer months, so any lingering questions about the coach's future should disappear until at least the fall.