{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/jdCKy5ad.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "The Pittsburgh Penguins will be on the hunt for a better bottom-six next season, but could an old face be just the guy to lead that group?", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/jdCKy5ad-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/jdCKy5ad.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/jdCKy5ad.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 281372, "filesize": 12626600, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 381060, "filesize": 17100092, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1095924, "filesize": 49179622, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113427, "filesize": 5090061 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 382790, "filesize": 17177719, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdCKy5ad-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 640433, "filesize": 28739450, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Changes have already started within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization as the hunt for a new front office staff hits closes in on its first week." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "There will obviously be a new general manager in charge of the Penguins in the near future, and lineup changes are imminent, but what other adjustments could be on the horizon?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "What about the men in suits behind the bench? Are head coach Mike Sullivan and his staff on their way out the door?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In short, Sullivan’s job will be safe. Everyone around him, however, might be sitting in a warm chair." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Following the firing of Ron Hextall, Brian Burke, and Chris Pryor, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) reiterated their faith in Sullivan." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "David Beeston of FSG stated that decisions with the Penguins’ coaching staff will be made by new management, but the ownership has a great amount of respect for Sullivan and his staff." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“We think Mike Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the NHL,” Beeston said. “Once we bring in a new hockey operations leader, he or she will be responsible for evaluating the coaching staff. We think Mike is terrific and his whole staff is terrific.”" } }, { "id": "oyoajdaf-x89gy3i5", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/InsidePenguins/status/1646565805826375682", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1646565805826375682", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "So, decisions with the coaching staff will be made by new management, but the new management decision will be made by FSG." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sure, the new management group might evaluate the staff, but FSG isn’t going to hire anyone who sees Sullivan as a liability." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sullivan signed a contract extension last off season that doesn’t even start until the 2024-25 season and ends in 2027." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "FSG put their faith in Sullivan and likely won’t hire anyone who thinks differently, but what about guys like Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Both Reirden and Vellucci also signed extensions last offseason, but they didn’t have great years in their respective roles in 2022-23." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Reirden’s contract extension also came with a promotion to associate coach and he has been the mind behind the Penguins’ power play since his arrival." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Well, the Penguins’ power play came up empty on too many occasions finishing the season with a 21.72% rating." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sullivan had a fierce defense of the power play and brought up their placement among the rest of the NHL, but that doesn’t change the fact that 21.72% was barely above league average and there were a number of games where they failed to record a goal despite having numerous man advantage opportunities." } }, { "id": "3a4rqhrz-zk0dflxt", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/OtherNHLCrosby/status/1647285787313020931", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1647285787313020931", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " The shortcomings of the power play don’t fall on Sullivan completely, as that was Reirden’s domain." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Much like the power play belonging to Reirden, the penalty kill fell under Vellucci." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins penalty kill finish with a 79.09% success rate, again barely over league average (78.69%)." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "On both sides of the special teams coin, the Penguins didn’t perform well enough; too many games were won and lost thanks to those areas of the game." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Either the power play failed to score in big opportunities, or the penalty kill couldn’t keep the puck out of their own net." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sullivan’s job might be safe under FSG and their new hires, but the case could be made that he needs a new staff around him." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more!" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Eric Tulsky Has the Perfect Combination for Penguins Next GM" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins' Jan Rutta Undergoes Successful Core Muscle Surgery" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Brad Treliving Is Unexpected, but Viable Option for Penguins GM" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins' Potential Replacements for Brian Dumoulin" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Former Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury Appears in 17th Consecutive Postseason" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Penguins Coaching Staff May See Changes