Penguins' Mike Sullivan Addresses Job Security Amid Struggles

"My main focus is trying to do what I do every day, applying a certain process I’m comfortable with to win games," Sullivan said. "I’ll bring everything I can to the table every day to help this team win until such time when someone tells me otherwise.”

Sullivan has been a cornerstone of the Penguins organization since taking over as head coach in December 2015. Under his leadership, Pittsburgh captured back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, solidifying the legacies of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.

That said, Sullivan inherited the core of the team when he arrived (one that had already won the Stanley Cup in 2009), and only coached 54 regular-season games (and the playoffs) in 2016.

Sullivan, who is under contract through the 2026–27 season, emphasized his deep connection to the franchise as the main reason for him to believe they can get the season back on track. 

“I’m invested in the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Sullivan said. “I care very, very deeply about this organization. I care deeply about the group of guys who have been in that locker room for a very long time. 

"I love this organization with all of my soul.”

With one of the league’s oldest rosters, however, Sullivan acknowledged the unique challenges the team is and will need to keep navigating as the year progresses.

“The challenge of trying to move this team forward and transition this team, it’s a different kind of challenge, but it’s one that I am welcoming,” Sullivan said.

After Saturday's defeat, the Penguins lost even more ground with the seventh-place Philadelphia Flyers (20 points) in the Metropolitan Division, having just 18 points in 23 games and two more games played than Philly.