The Pittsburgh Penguins could be set for a flashy end to an era, with NHL insider Kevin Weekes sharing that the team’s departure from head coach Mike Sullivan could come via a coach-trade (Twitter link). Pittsburgh hasn’t yet granted Sullivan, who is set to begin a three-year extension next season, permission to talk with any other clubs. That control is invaluable in the current NHL, with four teams currently without a coach and plenty more questioning their bench-leader. Pittsburgh has been no stranger to coaching drama in the early offseason, recently relieving two AHL coaches and one NHL assistant of their duties. These moves came despite Sullivan being “vehemently opposed” to changing his staff, says Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli (Twitter link).
Sullivan took over Pittsburgh’s head coach role midway through the 2015-16 season and quickly carried the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup wins. He’s held onto the role despite three changes in general manager and one change in ownership – ultimately becoming the second-longest tenured active coach in the NHL, behind Tampa’s Jon Cooper.
The NHL hasn’t seen a coach-for-coach trade, though there have been coach-for-picks trades. This includes the Quebec Nordiques’ trading of head coach Michel Bergeron to the New York Rangers in 1987. Quebec received what would end up as the fifth-overall pick in 1988 in return, using it to select winger Daniel Dore. The Toronto Maple Leafs also traded Quebec exclusive rights to negotiate with then-AHL head coach Marc Crawford as a part of the 1994 trade that sent Mats Sundin to Toronto. Crawford went on to serve four seasons as Quebec/Colorado’s head coach, even leading the Avalanche to the 1996 Stanley Cup.
While it’s hard to imagine what a coach-trade would look like in modern day, there’s no doubting that Mike Sullivan would carry significant value on the open market. He’s been an NHL head coach for parts of 11 seasons, and has Stanley Cup pedigree on his resume. He becomes one of the many talented, and long-tenured, coaches to monitor as NHL teams shake things up this summer.
Other notes from around the NHL:
- Edmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique has suffered an lower-body injury but isn’t expected to miss time, shares Sports 1440’s Jason Gregor (Twitter link). Gregor adds that the injury was suffered in Game 5 and forced Henrique out of practice on Friday. The Oilers won’t begin the Second Round until early next week, giving injured players a chance to heal up. Henrique has served in a top-six role since being acquired at the Deadline, recording two points in five games this postseason and nine points in 22 regular-season games with Edmonton.
- Superstar forward Auston Matthews was present at the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Friday practice after missing the last two games with an undisclosed ailment, shares Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press (Twitter link). Head coach Sheldon Keefe told Whyno that Matthews is progressing, though the team still isn’t sure if he’ll be available for Game 7. The Maple Leafs have come back from the brink of elimination in Matthews’ absence, forcing a Game 7 after being down 3-1 in the series. They’ll look to finish the comeback on Saturday, with or without their historical scorer.
Hate to say it but Sullivan has to go.
Not sure any coach can get this team turned but Sullivan has shown he cannot
Just too stale and not making the playoffs again was a huge let down after some of the roster changes. They gave up after trading Guentzel for a stretch and that’s piss poor on his behalf. I hope someone is willing to ante up
Why would you get rid of Sullivan? It took the pens the first half of Crosbys career to find an actual coach. Unless he is asking to leave, I don’t understand why you would give him away.
Have you watched this team the past few years? Or the years previous when they couldn’t get out of the first round?
He’s had a very long leash.
The first half of Crosby’s career? What? He just finished his 19th season. The Penguins were in the finals in his third and won the Cup in his fourth. Do the math.
For the same reason a huge part of the Pittsburgh fan base wants Tomlin out which no one outside of town understands, Mahoney. Past accolades stop mattering after 5+ years of inadequacy to a fan base that expects actual results, especially as the coach. Not talking about past Cups or the magical .500 streak. There hasn’t been a playoff win in Pittsburgh in 7 years (unless you count the Riverhounds). That’s all that matters. You probably thought the Pats should have kept Belichick too..
Gabe, you linked Michel Bergeron the player, Michel Bergeron the coach never played in the NHL. link to hockeydb.com