The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced they have parted ways with Head Coach Mike Sullivan.
According to reports from The Fan Morning Show, Sullivan approached the Penguins with a list of “non-negotiable” demands to stay in Pittsburgh and General Manager Kyle Dubas and owners Fenway Sports Group did not accept them.
“On behalf of Fenway Sports Group and the Penguins organization, I would like to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the team and City of Pittsburgh over the past decade,” said Dubas via the Penguins’ website. “Mike is known for his preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness. I was fortunate to have a front-row seat to his dedication to this franchise for the past two seasons. He will forever be an enormous part of Penguins history, not only for the impressive back-to-back Cups, his impact on the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, but more importantly, for his love and loyalty to the organization. This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but as we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved.”
Sullivan is the all-time wins leader in Penguins history with 409 wins and 255 losses.
After Mike Johnston was fired as Penguins’ Head Coach, Sullivan was named the new coach in mid-December 2015.
He would then go on to win back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships the next two season with the Penguins.
But, since, the Penguins have won one playoff series and haven't moved past the first round since 2018.
The Penguins have not made the playoffs the past three years.
The Penguins say the search for the next coach “will begin immediately.”