In what was a long-time coming Todd Reirden has been relieved of his coaching duty with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins power play had a stench of which would make someone vomit and Ryan Graves was one of the worst free agent signings of last season. Reirden ran the power play and was the defense coach. Something had to give with the staff and while this singular move cannot and will not fix all that ails the Penguins I think it was a necessary move.

Todd Reirden isn’t coming back. On what it all means, how it went down, and what to expect next: https://t.co/eQ5qNajn0m

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 3, 2024

For now, Mike Sullivan remains the Penguins head coach. Depending on where you are looking there are differing opinions about Mike Sullivan’s status and his relationship with Kyle Dubas. Some of these people tweet about bridges and others view things through black and orange tinted lenses.

Here is what Josh Yohe has to say about the situation:

There’s no rift between Sullivan and Dubas. It’s been reported elsewhere that there is. Those reports are laughably false.

Perhaps they didn’t agree on the Reirden decision. That’s quite possible. But I assure you they have a very good working relationship and are very much on the same page. Anything else that you read is utterly untrue.

Until proven otherwise this seems like the most reasonable read on the situation at the moment.

There is a sizeable growing sentiment of fans looking for Mike Sullivan to join Todd Reirden. With the Penguins missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons and no postseason series wins since 2018 it does exhibit some deep loyalty to Sullivan. The NHL is a league where coaching turnover is as common as the Penguins giving up odd man rushes on their power play. I’ve always been a Bruce Boudreau guy so if they made a change to him I would welcome it with open arms. I don’t think it is likely, at all.

What I would keep an eye on is the outcome of the Leafs and Bruins Game 7. I could very much see Sheldon Keefe earning a position in the Penguins organization if the Leafs were to bow out in the first round. There is an AHL opening as well as an assistant coach opening. While I don’t believe Sullivan and Dubas have beef right now, I do think that kind of hire would strain a relationship because it wouldn’t take someone with Sidney Crosby’s vision to see the writing on the wall.

Thanks for reading!

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