Coach Mike Sullivan gets the Kiss of Death from Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas

It's one of those weird things in hockey that has happened so many times that it's hard to deny its impact. With the Pittsburgh Penguins sputtering and losses mounting, GM Kyle Dubas responded to calls to fire head coach Mike Sullivan.

In true professional fashion, Dubas said he doesn't believe Sullivan is the problem, and he's sticking with him.





That all sounds great, and it's exactly what many NHL GMs have said about their coaches right before canning them and bringing in someone new. It is the proverbial Kiss of Death that we've heard so many times before.

With an 11-12-3 record, the Penguins are just two points ahead of the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, who are dead last in the Metropolitan Division. The reality is, if the team doesn't improve, heads are going to roll, and it's almost always the coach who is the first to go.