Insider reveals coach could be moved in rare coach trade
The Pittsburgh Penguins missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row, which is the first time that's occurred in the Sidney Crosby era. Changes could be coming this summer as the Penguins look to get back to the post-season next spring.
This past week, the Penguins made their first move as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced the firing of Associate Coach Todd Reirden.
Other changes could be coming off the ice for the Penguins, potentially involving Head Coach Mike Sullivan. In a post on X on Friday, ESPN's Kevin Weekes said that if the Penguins are able to mutually agree to Sullivan's departure, it could be through a trade.
"Per my tweet the other day, @penguins have relieved Associate Coach Reirden , curious to see what other potential changes happen with their staff. Tho they haven't granted permission for teams re H.C Sullivan, if they mutually agree for his departure it could be via trade." Weekes said.
Trades involving a coach in the National Hockey League never happen. In fact, the most notable coaching trade came in 1987 when the Quebec Nordiques dealt Michel Bergeron to the New York Rangers in exchanged for a first-round pick.
The 56-year-old is currently the second-longest tenured Head Coach in the National Hockey League and has plenty of success behind the bench in Pittsburgh. In his first two seasons with the team, he led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
In 671 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Sullivan has led the team to a record of 375 wins, 219 losses and 77 overtime/shootout losses, as well as seven appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
There's no doubt that Mike Sullivan will draw interest from other teams, if trading him and his contract is an option Kyle Dubas is willing to consider this summer. It'll be interesting to see which direction they go in and if Dubas gets rid of Sullivan, who their replacement could be.
POLL |
Will Mike Sullivan be behind the bench for Pittsburgh on opening night next season? |
Yes | 133 | 33.8 % |
No | 260 | 66.2 % |
List of polls |
|
37 minutes ago | By Tom Banks Canadian Team Emerging As Top Trade Target For Potential New York Rangers Trade |
|
2 hours ago | By TJ Tucker Scary Scene as Former NHLer Max Friberg Knocked Unconscious After a Crazy Collision With a Teammate |
|
3 hours ago | By Tom Banks Chicago Blackhawks Officially Fire Luke Richardson After Horrible Start |
|
5 hours ago | By TJ Tucker NHL asks Court to Force Former Girlfriends of Steve Montador to Hand Over Information |
|
6 hours ago | By Tom Banks PK Subban Calls Out New York Rangers Analyst After Shocking Take On Star Jack Hughes |
|
8 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Washington Capitals Release A Very Surprising Update Regarding Alex Ovechkin's Status |
|
11 hours ago | By Tom Banks NHL on TNT Crew and the DoBS Suspend Brad Marchand For One Year After His Comments Towards Paul Bissonnette |
|
12 hours ago | By Tom Banks Anaheim Ducks Star Trevor Zegras Immediately Waves at the Ducks Bench After Going Down With Scary Injury |
Previously on Bladeofsteel