Report: Penguins shoot down rumors about Mike Sullivan joining New Jersey
30/04/2024 19:59
The latest on the rumor mill
Let's catch up on the rumor mill and the latest on what may or may not be happening with the Penguins, the New Jersey Devils and Mike Sullivan.
Toronto based NIck Kypreos got a lil shot in at Kyle Dubas, err went out of his a few days ago to tie Sullivan to the Devils in a column.
Rumours of Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan leaving Pittsburgh to join close friend Tom Fitzgerald in New Jersey won't dissipate. Despite being under contract, it could simply come down to Sullivan's lack of confidence in GM Dubas's ability to contend anytime soon.
Kypreos hasn't been the only national voice involved speaking about potential changes in the coaching world. Kevin Weekes has fired off a couple of vague tweets in recent days (though there was nothing subtle about a picture of a bridge and the Pittsburgh skyline with the eyes emoji) also hinting that unnamed but significant coaches could be on the move.
In speaking to plenty of people involved, the @NHL Coaches Carousel is spinning and many clubs are doing their due diligence. There are several established ones, some younger ones, some up and comers, and perhaps the most coveted of them all… #HockeyX#HockeyTwitterpic.twitter.com/ZctXhwNiBs
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) April 28, 2024
There could be 1 current @NHL Head Coach that might potentially hit or surpass Mike Babcock's industry leading 7M per Yr deal he signed with the @MapleLeafs . . It would take plenty of factors for it to align , but plots are thickening. #HockeyX#HockeyTwitter
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) April 29, 2024
With all this swirling, Rob Rossi at The Athletic got Dubas on the record via text to shoot down the rumors that Sullivan to NJ was in motion.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have not been asked for permission, nor have they granted permission, for the New Jersey Devils to speak to head coach Mike Sullivan, Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas said Tuesday.
"There have been no requests and no permissions granted," Dubas said in a text message to The Athletic.
A Devils source said New Jersey would have interest in Sullivan if he wasn't under contract with the Penguins.
Sullivan's three-year extension that reportedly pays him $5.5 million annually begins with the start of the new NHL season on July 1.
Frank Seravalli joined the chorus of voices by pointing out that there are "varying levels of intensity about the future of the coaching staff as a whole (relating to assistants)" with the Penguins. Both Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci are set to have their current contracts expire at the end of this season, with no formal word one way or the other about either of their future status.
Good reporting and insight from @Real_RobRossi. My understanding is there have been discussions internally in PIT with varying levels of intensity about future of the coaching staff as a whole (relating to assistants) that has contributed to the noise. https://t.co/f4G9pga6Yn
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 30, 2024
So there you have an up-to-date accounting for now on the situation that may or may not exist under the surface.
The NHL briefly had draft pick compensation about a decade ago for coaches/executives who changed jobs, but that rule was canceled about as quickly as it appeared. Based on everything that Dubas and Fenway Sports Group has said so strongly and positively about Sullivan, you would expect Sullivan to be in his current position as Penguins' head coach again this fall. That won't stop the rumor mill from churning though, at least until the Devils appoint a new coach.
