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Sullivan Angrily Stops Practice; Clarifies Jarry Status

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Hockey Now
By Dan Kingerski | Last updated Oct 21, 2024 5:52 PM ET

CALGARY, Alberta — Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan isn’t playing around through the Penguins’ early season struggles. Monday, Sullivan angrily stopped practice during more than one drill.

He stopped both the power play and a five-on-five drill meant to drive home the concept of playing low to high. It was clear that Sullivan was frustrated by his team’s lackadaisical attitude.

“It’s safe to say I just didn’t think we executed very well,” said Sullivan. “We just didn’t have the focus or the intentions that we needed to have to be at our best.”

For the record, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby seemed to enjoy the coach dropping the hammer. Crosby, whose work ethic and focus is unparalleled, seemed to delight in Sullivan’s stern team admonishment.

“Obviously, (Sullivan) wants us to execute well. We had some pucks and bobbles and didn’t make a couple of good passes,” Crosby said. “So I think that’s what you want. You want to practice with purpose. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as crisp as we’d like today. But, you’ve got to work at it.”

Sullivan was imploring his team to recognize low-to-high opportunities in the offensive zone and to protect the puck. Before he stopped the practice to deliver a little tough love, he also scolded Jesse Puljujarvi for not following through on the drill’s purpose. s

The Penguins’ lines were a combination of the new pairs and the original, as Michael Bunting was a primary participant. Bunting appeared to be back in his usual spot, with Evgeni Malkin on the second line. However, Sullivan put Jesse Puljujarvi on the fourth line with Noel Acciari and Kevin Hayes.

Puljujarvi played on the Penguins’ second line Sunday with Malkin.

Cody Glass has been a fourth-liner, but Sullivan elevated him to Eller’s line. It appears Valtteri Puustinen will return to the press box.

Penguins Lines

Drew O’Connor-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Rickardk Rakell

Anthony Beauvillier-Lars Eller-Cody Glass

Kevin Hayes-Noel Acciari-Jesse Puljujarvi

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk-Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Goalies: Alex Nedeljkovic, Joel Blomqvist.

Tristan Jarry

The Penguins are carrying three goalies, and it sounds like they could do it for a while. Sullivan refuted that Jarry was a healthy scratch Sunday (technically, he was), but Sullivan used a different term.

“He handled (the scratch) fine. And it wasn’t a scratch. It was a comprehensive game plan that we put together to try to help Tristan capture his very best, Sullivan said. “And if we’re asking him to back up, it’s hard for him to get the work done in practice with Andy Chiodo, our goalie coach, to help him get his game back on track where we need it to be.”

Jarry has an .836 save percentage this season in three starts, though he did not finish his last start against the Buffalo Sabres. Sullivan pulled him in the first period for Joel Blomqvist. Alex Nedeljkovic started Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, and Blomqvist served as the backup.

Jarry is in the second year of a five-year deal with an average annual value of $5.375 million.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.

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