Penguins Coach Not Losing Job Despite Odds
The Pittsburgh Penguins have no plans to fire Mike Sullivan any time soon.
Mike Sullivan has been the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins since the 2015-16 NHL season and is going to be around for a little while longer.
Despite great success during his time with the Penguins and usually being considered one of the best coaches in the league, people believe Sullivan is sitting in a hot seat.
The consideration that Sullivan is in a hot seat has given him some of the best odds to be the next coach fired by an NHL team.
According to the Athletic, Sullivan’s odds to be the first head coach fired sit at 15/2, good for third highest in the NHL.
Under normal circumstances, that would make sense; the Penguins haven’t won a playoff round since 2018, and are the oldest team in the NHL for the second consecutive year.
Sullivan and the Penguins aren’t under ‘normal circumstances,’ however, as Sullivan won’t be going anywhere any time soon.
Prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, Sullivan signed a three-year contract extension; that’s a totally normal move, but what makes this deal different, is that it was signed two years in advance.
Sullivan’s current contract expires following the current 2023-24 season, then his new extension kicks in.
Not only does Sullivan still have a completely new contract that is yet to start, both the Penguins ownership group and new president and general manager love him.
If a new deal is yet to kick in and you’re in the good graces of those in charge, it’s safe to assume your job is a lock for a little bit.
If the Penguins fumble around again this season and fail to at least win a playoff round, maybe this conversation can be brought up again, but for now, Sullivan is staying put.
So far, though, the Penguins have put a lousy home opener in the past, and have looked like a formidable opponent to start the season.
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