PITTSBURGH – The 2023-24 season has been a massive disappointment for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Kyle Dubas’ first year as president and general manager, he loaded up the Penguins’ roster with guys like Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith in hopes of a Stanley Cup run.
With the trade deadline just days away, the Penguins' playoff hopes seem well out of reach, and plenty of fans want to point fingers. Not many are looking at Dubas as a reason for the disappointment, but rather, a lot of heat is being given to head coach Mike Sullivan.
Yet to start a three-year contract extension that he signed before the 2022-23 season, many have been looking for a coaching change with the Penguins.
Lindy Ruff was recently fired by the New Jersey Devils, making him the seventh coach fired in the NHL this year, and many wonder if there will be an eighth. According to ontariobets.com, Sullivan has the second-highest odds of being the next NHL coach to lose his job.
Ontario Bets gives Sullivan +350 odds or a 22.2% chance of being the next coach to hit the unemployment line. Sullivan is behind only Don Granato of the Buffalo Sabres, who is at +250 and 28.6%.
On multiple occasions, Dubas has stated his belief in Sullivan and that he is the right guy for the job. Penguins ownership also has a great deal of respect for Sullivan, and it would take a lot of convincing for either Dubas or Fenway Sports Group to fire Sullivan.
The past two seasons haven’t been Sullivan’s best and the Penguins haven’t won a playoff round since 2018, but there still isn’t much thought being put into a new coach.
Sullivan’s new contract kicks off for the 2024-25 season, and the deal will likely start before any honest conversations are had about a new coach in Pittsburgh.
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