It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re seeing the contenders and pretenders shake themselves out with American Thanksgiving coming. However, it’s not just players that have been swapped. We’ve already seen a coaching change with the Boston Bruins firing Jim Montgomery. However, other teams may start looking into dismissing their head coaches. One of those teams may be the Pittsburgh Penguins. This edition of NHL rumours looks at if the Pens will make a change.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Pittsburgh Penguins May Make Head Coach Switch
Rumour: Dennis Bernstein and David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period speculated on the future of Mike Sullivan behind the Pittsburgh Penguins bench.
#LetsGoPens are a 🔥 topic. Eller's gone. Are more changes coming? I join @KatePettersen_ & @DennisTFP to discuss The Latest in PIT (taped b4 today's trade), plus:
– #Flames staying course, for now?
– Laferriere's start = contract? #GoKingsGo
– #ALLCAPS G Thompson on Canada's… pic.twitter.com/MBlz82jj4l— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 13, 2024
Analysis: The Pens have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last two seasons and have gotten off to a bad start in the 2024-25 campaign. Pittsburgh is coming off recent blowout losses to the Dallas Stars (7-1) and Columbus Blue Jackets (6-2). Sullivan and the Penguins are 4-3-3 in the last 10 games, but they need to get moving up the standings if they stand a chance.
One of the main problems has seemingly been on the defensive end. The Pens are dead last in goals allowed a 3.86 per game. Pittsburgh is also not scoring like it should as the club is 23rd in goals scored with 2.67 per game.
There are a number of talented players on the roster like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and others. However, that’s not translated into victories like the Penguins used to rack up in their heyday.
Stuck in the Middle
Sullivan does have a 382-229-81 record and two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. He’s been behind the bench in the Steel City since the middle of the 2015-16 season. However, the last couple of seasons have been rough for the well-respected head coach.
The Marshfield, Mass. native has built up quite the resume, but has the unenviable task for competing while trying to retool the roster. Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas took the post 18 months ago and has been trying to keep the team competitive. However, it may be time for Dubas and the Penguins to hit the reset button.
There may be some players like Bryan Rust that could dealt. However, Pittsburgh seems to be trapped with veterans that have large contracts that can’t be moved. Mediocrity could be in the cards for the Penguins.
The First Domino
Another Eastern Conference adorned in black and gold may have broken the seal on firing coaches. The Boston Bruins dismissed Jim Montgomery earlier this week after a shaky start. Boston may opened the floodgates on teams looking to make changes behind the bench.
Montgomery had won over 71-percent of his games with the Bruins. However, Boston’s slow start sealed the former Jack Adams Award winner’s fate. The Bruins are scuffling and the club is turning to Joe Sacco in hopes of sparking the roster.
Sullivan is a great coach and will be in demand should he be let go, but Dubas may need to do something drastic in order to salvage the Penguins’ season.
Main photo by: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
