Mike Sullivan, former Penguins coach and now head coach of the New York Rangers, returns to Pittsburgh for the first time since leaving the Penguins, reflecting on his decade-long legacy and expressing gratitude to the city and team, despite the recent coaching change and team struggles.
Mike Sullivan's debut as Rangers head coach was spoiled by his former team, the Penguins, in a 3-0 loss at Madison Square Garden. Sullivan, returning to the Rangers after coaching the Penguins for 10 years, faced his former team led by assistant coach Dan Muse, who previously worked with Sullivan in New York. The game marked a significant coaching transition for both teams, with Sullivan expressing excitement about his new group and Muse reflecting on his past experience with the Rangers. Rookie Noah Laba showed promise in his first NHL game.
The New York Rangers, under new coach Mike Sullivan, opened their season with a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, showing signs of last year's struggles with missed opportunities and lackluster play, despite some individual efforts and a strong performance by goalie Igor Shesterkin.
The NHL 2025-26 season begins with the Rangers facing the Penguins on October 7 at Madison Square Garden, featuring new head coach Mike Sullivan facing his former team, with notable matchups including the Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers and the Blackhawks, and the Avalanche visiting the Kings.
Dan Muse, previously an assistant coach with the Rangers, has been appointed as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, succeeding Mike Sullivan. This marks Muse's first NHL head coaching role after six seasons as an assistant with Nashville and New York. The Rangers are in the process of filling Sullivan's staff, with only a few coaches expected to remain.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling to maintain leads and exhibit defensive carelessness, prompting calls for coach Mike Sullivan to implement a "bag skate"—a rigorous, no-puck practice—as a disciplinary measure. Despite Sullivan's reluctance to use such tactics, the team's repeated collapses suggest a need for drastic action to instill discipline and competitiveness. The article highlights the potential risks and benefits of team-wide punishments, drawing parallels with other NHL teams that have used similar strategies to motivate players.
The Pittsburgh Penguins showed improvement in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, overcoming a cautious start to dominate the third period. Despite the loss, the team felt positive about their performance, with Bryan Rust and Sidney Crosby leading the charge. The Penguins' main issue remains a lack of scoring depth, prompting coach Mike Sullivan to experiment with line changes, including using Drew O'Connor at center. This adjustment could provide a solution to their scoring woes, but it remains to be seen if Sullivan will commit to this strategy.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling significantly, with a 6-9-2 record and the most goals allowed in the Eastern Conference. Despite brief moments of strong play, the team has been inconsistent, raising questions about coach Mike Sullivan's future and recent roster decisions by president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. The Penguins' issues include poor puck management and a negative goal differential, casting doubt on their ability to compete for the Stanley Cup this season.
Erik Karlsson struggled defensively in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, with his pairing on the ice for the first three goals. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan hinted at dissatisfaction with some players' efforts, though he didn't name anyone specifically. Karlsson acknowledged his off night, while Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed recent satisfaction with Karlsson's performance. The team needs Karlsson to improve both offensively and defensively to avoid similar outcomes in future games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season, with disappointing performances from key players like Erik Karlsson, Tristan Jarry, and Evgeni Malkin. The team's strategy and coaching decisions have also been called into question, with suggestions for changes in coaching staff and player development. The article highlights the need for the team to make significant changes to avoid continued mediocrity and regain their former championship status.
The New Jersey Devils have fired head coach Lindy Ruff after a disappointing season and are now seeking a replacement. Associate coach Travis Green will take over in the interim, while potential candidates for the permanent position include Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan emphasizes the importance of context in analyzing the team's performance, particularly in close games. The article explores the implications of adding context to wins and losses, questioning whether style points should matter in determining the significance of one-goal games. Despite the emphasis on context, the Penguins still face a significant deficit in the playoff standings.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling in the 2023-24 NHL season, with issues in scoring, power play, and coaching. Head coach Mike Sullivan's combative response to questions about the team's struggles in one-goal games has raised concerns. General manager Kyle Dubas faces uncertainty in deciding the team's direction, with a need to get younger conflicting with recent signings of older players. The team's decline is evident, and there are doubts about how it can be fixed.
Mike Sullivan will no longer be calling plays or coaching quarterbacks for the Steelers, but will remain as a senior offensive assistant under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The team is in the process of building an offensive identity after a disappointing season and is facing internal division over the starting quarterback position, with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Russell Wilson in the mix.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling, having lost their third straight game and facing difficulties in climbing the Eastern Conference standings. Coach Mike Sullivan is running out of options to fix the team's performance, with the power play being a major concern. The prospect of a big trade is challenging due to roster constraints, and the team may be in sell mode. Additionally, forward Jake Guentzel's injury adds to their woes, as they prepare to face the Chicago Blackhawks in a crucial game.