Ryan Wilson: For better or worse Mike Sullivan is just another coach For better or worse Mike Sullivan is just another coach

This is spot on.

Even though I don't follow the Penguins that closely, I'm going to stick up a bit for a fellow BU alum... I grant you that as the Penguins results the last two seasons are moving in the wrong direction, Sullivan as the head coach has to accept a decent share of responsibility for that. However, Mike Johnston had the Penguins on their way to missing the playoffs 4 seasons ago, and Sullivan turned them into, bar none, the best team in the NHL from January on. And then the Pens repeated the next season. So clearly, he was doing something right. Of course, sports is full of examples of championship coaches who wore out their welcome with the players, so it's quite possible that is what has happened more recently.

Even though I don't follow the Penguins that closely, I'm going to stick up a bit for a fellow BU alum... I grant you that as the Penguins results the last two seasons are moving in the wrong direction, Sullivan as the head coach has to accept a decent share of responsibility for that. However, Mike Johnston had the Penguins on their way to missing the playoffs 4 seasons ago, and Sullivan turned them into, bar none, the best team in the NHL from January on. And then the Pens repeated the next season. So clearly, he was doing something right. Of course, sports is full of examples of championship coaches who wore out their welcome with the players, so it's quite possible that is what has happened more recently.
- copelal

Johnston had zero business coaching an nhl team so comparing the two to justify sully as a great coach is flawed logic.

Isn't the extension only three years if it is thru 2022-23?

1. 19-20 -Final year on his contract
2. 20-21
3. 21-22
4. 22-23

Or was next year ripped up? Can't do that with players, can it be done with coaches?

The only thing I’ll agree with Wilson is Jack Johnson. If he would have been a constant healthy scratch last year I think he would be gone. The whole Kessel thing though is on Kessel. A hockey team full of adults shouldn’t have to be catered too. It’s a well documented fact that Kessel refused to even pay attention to Sullivan’s instructions in practice. Great example to have on your team when of of “thee” guys disrespects the coach like that. But hey. Funny memes on social media right?

Isn't the extension only three years if it is thru 2022-23?

1. 19-20 -Final year on his contract
2. 20-21
3. 21-22
4. 22-23

Or was next year ripped up? Can't do that with players, can it be done with coaches?
- stevens87

Pens added a follow up tweet correcting to 23-24

Contracts don't necessarily equal stability for coaches, he can still be fired and replaced at any time, the team would just be paying him not to coach.

I think the message was clear, they believe HCMS has the ability to turn the team around but they brought in a Plan B if he can't

This is spot on.
- Feds91Stammer

I was expecting anger, I'm disappointed, although at least the JJ dig was there (and wasn't even reach).

Pens added a follow up tweet correcting to 23-24
- Feds91Stammer

Thanks Feds!

The only thing I’ll agree with Wilson is Jack Johnson. If he would have been a constant healthy scratch last year I think he would be gone. The whole Kessel thing though is on Kessel. A hockey team full of adults shouldn’t have to be catered too. It’s a well documented fact that Kessel refused to even pay attention to Sullivan’s instructions in practice. Great example to have on your team when of of “thee” guys disrespects the coach like that. But hey. Funny memes on social media right?
- Grinder47

It’s almost like people have different personalities that require a manager to treat them each differently just like they would in any job setting.

from The start of last season to now we see Kessel, Hagelin and Maatta gone. We also see Bjugstad, Mccaan, Kahun, Galchenyuk and Tanev in. I’ll include Blueger as well. So we lost s bonafide scorer that Crosby and Malkin didn’t want to play with. A fast guy that can’t score, and possibly the fastest aging defenseman currently employed by an nhl team. I’m not seeing how this team is so bad. As long as Cullen isn’t back should be able to roll 4 lines consistently. Sullivan was always meh in my opinion but he has a very coachsble team now.

I agree with basically everything except the whole “x’s and o’s don’t matter as much in hockey” - it’s easy to say but the fact is if a team catches onto your forecheck and they keep moving the puck out at will (Bruins in 2013 no different than these Islanders) and you don’t do a damn thing about it, that’s a coaching flaw. Sullivan is guilty of this time and time again. Do they matter as much as in football? Of course not but adjustments need to be made and they just aren’t made often enough.

Our playoff forecheck was awful and the ability of our forwards to manufacture time and space and odd man rushes off the breakouts were brutal

It’s almost like people have different personalities that require a manager to treat them each differently just like they would in any job setting.
- Feds91Stammer

Hahahaha. Entered the workforce much? If not you’re in for a surprise.

The fact Ryan Wilson seems to think the right choice is choosing a malcontent player like Kessel over the coach shows he knows nothing about hockey

What message does that send to the rest of the team if Sullivan either chooses to accept Kessel's poor attitude and do nothing or if the organization replaces Sullivan and lets the player get his way?

What reason would Kessel have to listen to the next coach?, What reason would the current players have to listen to Sullivan or the next coach? Yes, it's a lot easier to replace coaches than players but that doesn't mean you always replace the coach

Moving the malcontent and extending Sullivan sends a clear message. Shape up or be prepared to get shipped out.

from The start of last season to now we see Kessel, Hagelin and Maatta gone. We also see Bjugstad, Mccaan, Kahun, Galchenyuk and Tanev in. I’ll include Blueger as well. So we lost s bonafide scorer that Crosby and Malkin didn’t want to play with. A fast guy that can’t score, and possibly the fastest aging defenseman currently employed by an nhl team. I’m not seeing how this team is so bad. As long as Cullen isn’t back should be able to roll 4 lines consistently. Sullivan was always meh in my opinion but he has a very coachsble team now.
- Grinder47

To your point, that’s the other part of the article I disagree with. I don’t think this roster is the worst of Sullivan’s tenure. I think this roster is deeper than how we started last season

More seasoned goaltending. Deeper down the middle (Bjug+Blueg > Brass+Dad). Younger, faster, and deeper on the wings. Just all around better on the backend. Right wing offensive production is the only downgrade, right?

Hahahaha. Entered the workforce much? If not you’re in for a surprise.
- Grinder47

Ever managed a successful business team? If not you’re in for a surprise.

from The start of last season to now we see Kessel, Hagelin and Maatta gone. We also see Bjugstad, Mccaan, Kahun, Galchenyuk and Tanev in. I’ll include Blueger as well. So we lost s bonafide scorer that Crosby and Malkin didn’t want to play with. A fast guy that can’t score, and possibly the fastest aging defenseman currently employed by an nhl team. I’m not seeing how this team is so bad. As long as Cullen isn’t back should be able to roll 4 lines consistently. Sullivan was always meh in my opinion but he has a very coachsble team now.
- Grinder47

The fact Malkin and Crosby didn't want to play with Kessel speaks volumes. It's because he made their jobs harder. Either by not aggressively forechecking, not aggressively backchecking, not following the game plan, or just being an overall downer to be on the ice with

Given that, he'd be out there playing with who? Bjugstad and Hornqvist? And what would that lines role be? (Can't be an aggressive checking role) How is he a benefit to playing with 2 guys who aren't necessarily playmakers or fast, that would probably spend most of their shifts making up for his defensive liabilities?...

Kessel wore out his welcome....Addition by Subtraction

Ever managed a successful business team? If not you’re in for a surprise.
- Feds91Stammer

The thought of managing anything in a universal manner makes me laugh. Not only is it lazy, it is going to fail unless the task is overly simple in nature.

Ever managed a successful business team? If not you’re in for a surprise.
- Feds91Stammer

Thinking about it yes. I guess people just seem to do what I say.

The thought of managing anything in a universal manner makes me laugh. Not only is it lazy, it is going to fail unless the task is overly simple in nature.
- burgh4life87

Exactly.

Thinking about it yes. I guess people just seem to do what I say.
- Grinder47

Doubtful

The thought of managing anything in a universal manner makes me laugh. Not only is it lazy, it is going to fail unless the task is overly simple in nature.
- burgh4life87

So I guess Sullivan is suppose to address the team in the corner at practice, then go ask phil who’s shooting pucks at the other end if he can please speak to him? Get the f uck our if here with that soft ass poop.

Thinking about it yes. I guess people just seem to do what I say.
- Grinder47

Yeah when I tool over as director of sales, 1 dude was trying to do things his way. Well he got fired now everyone else fell in line pretty quickly.

So I guess Sullivan is suppose to address the team in the corner at practice, then go ask phil who’s shooting pucks at the other end if he can please speak to him? Get the f uck our if here with that soft ass poop.
- Grinder47

Yeah that’s exactly what we’re saying. Lmao you are hysterical.