In this situation, if you take out all the emotions, an amicable split makes sense.

Phil Jackson did not stay around after the bulls blew up their team. No matter how good the coach, things get complicated quick in a rebuild.

I am sure the Pens said, we would love to have you stay during this transition, but out of respect, asked him if he would be willing to or wanted to stay.

It only makes sense he said no.

It would be a step up from fishing pucks out of their net, so yeah.
- Chunk

um... don't count on that stopping if you hire sully.

Dubas and Sullivan have a secret plot to have Sullivan coach NYR, purposely tank their team, and give the Pens the NYR 2026 1st overall pick. After the Pens draft McKenna, Sully comes back

Soccer is boring. Bring back Tocchet!
- MickV

Agreed on both accords!

I’m curious as to what the demands that lead to this divorce was. I’m hoping that the difference in views involved the bottom half of the roster with Sullivan wanting his veterans and Dubas deciding it’s time to stop adding crappy vets to the bottom 6 and let young guys sink or swim since we’re not contenders
- Victoro311

Multiple media guys close to the Penguins have denied any meeting like that took place where demands by Sullivan were made.

The guys like Rossi and Madden refuting the claims are a lot more connected than Crowley is.

Highly likely we see Tocchet come to Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure Crosby and him have a tight relationship still.

Sully will land with Boston or the Rangers. He is going to get paid by one of those teams. Vancouver should be considered the dark horse here... JR hired Sully once, maybe he is the guy who can deal with all of the personalities and issues Vancouver has?

Multiple media guys close to the Penguins have denied any meeting like that took place where demands by Sullivan were made.

The guys like Rossi and Madden refuting the claims are a lot more connected than Crowley is.
- SuperHenderson13

Yeah, I cant imagine it was anything like that. Sully is way too agreeable of a person... he just goes with the flow and seems to avoid conflict, at least with how we have seen him manage players.

Probably just a situation where there are 3 big budget teams who are all probably looking for a coach just like Sully (NYR, BOS, VAN). They probably just offered him the chance to walk and go on the market for what I am sure will be a considerable raise.

I am really hoping that this isnt coming off of a conversation where Dubas asked him if he was willing to go through a full bore rebuild...

Highly likely we see Tocchet come to Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure Crosby and him have a tight relationship still.

Sully will land with Boston or the Rangers. He is going to get paid by one of those teams. Vancouver should be considered the dark horse here... JR hired Sully once, maybe he is the guy who can deal with all of the personalities and issues Vancouver has?
- MacPatty

I'd rather him go to Boston. Not only because he'd be out of division but also Rangers fans rrrreally want him, are convinced they're getting him, and their tears would be delicious.

Yohe threw some names out for the coach search.

Rick Tocchet - Coach of the Canucks
Kirk MacDonald - Coach of AHL Penguins
David Carle - University of Denver Coach, Coach of USA WJC
Todd Nelson - Coach of AHL Hershey Bears
David Quinn - Penguins Assistant Coach
Mike Vellucci - Penguins Assistant Coach

This is a pretty good list. A few things stand out to me.

1. Tocchet would be the most popular with the core, especially Crosby. He has notably good relationship with Dubas and the Penguins. Will have competition from Vancouver and Philadelphia at least for him.

2. MacDonald is pretty a good bet. Another head coach from the Baby Penguins, following in the footsteps of Therrein, Bylsma, and Sullivan. No NHL head coaching experience.

3. Carle - obviously the hottest coach on the market. Specifically known for youth and development. Only 35 years old. Went to the same Minnesota boarding school as Crosby, but a few years later

4. Nelson is one of the best AHL coaches

5. Quinn and Vellucci are both well liked inside the organization, not clear Dubas wants a continuation of the status quo which makes them unlikely to me.

Multiple media guys close to the Penguins have denied any meeting like that took place where demands by Sullivan were made.

The guys like Rossi and Madden refuting the claims are a lot more connected than Crowley is.
- SuperHenderson13

Well alright then

Yohe threw some names out for the coach search.

Rick Tocchet - Coach of the Canucks
Kirk MacDonald - Coach of AHL Penguins
David Carle - University of Denver Coach, Coach of USA WJC
Todd Nelson - Coach of AHL Hershey Bears
David Quinn - Penguins Assistant Coach
Mike Vellucci - Penguins Assistant Coach

This is a pretty good list. A few things stand out to me.

1. Tocchet would be the most popular with the core, especially Crosby. He has notably good relationship with Dubas and the Penguins. Will have competition from Vancouver and Philadelphia at least for him.

2. MacDonald is pretty a good bet. Another head coach from the Baby Penguins, following in the footsteps of Therrein, Bylsma, and Sullivan. No NHL head coaching experience.

3. Carle - obviously the hottest coach on the market. Specifically known for youth and development. Only 35 years old. Went to the same Minnesota boarding school as Crosby, but a few years later

4. Nelson is one of the best AHL coaches

5. Quinn and Vellucci are both well liked inside the organization, not clear Dubas wants a continuation of the status quo which makes them unlikely to me.
- SuperHenderson13

Carle is interesting… if there were a time to take a flyer on a boom or bust candidate it’s probably now. Isn’t really much they can (frank) up with the current status quo so if they suck they can be show the door with minimal organizational damage.

Mike Keenan and Jarry would be epic though

Knowing that the Rangers were interested, wonder why they didnt attempt to trade Sully to NYR for something?

Sheldon Keefe next Pens coach? Certainly has ties to Dubas
- Amanion

He explained it in the presser -- you cannot trade staff.

Highly likely we see Tocchet come to Pittsburgh. I'm pretty sure Crosby and him have a tight relationship still.

Sully will land with Boston or the Rangers. He is going to get paid by one of those teams. Vancouver should be considered the dark horse here... JR hired Sully once, maybe he is the guy who can deal with all of the personalities and issues Vancouver has?
- MacPatty

I don't see this highly likely at all lol don't think Dubas has any relationship with Tochett, does he?

Yohe threw some names out for the coach search.

Rick Tocchet - Coach of the Canucks
Kirk MacDonald - Coach of AHL Penguins
David Carle - University of Denver Coach, Coach of USA WJC
Todd Nelson - Coach of AHL Hershey Bears
David Quinn - Penguins Assistant Coach
Mike Vellucci - Penguins Assistant Coach

This is a pretty good list. A few things stand out to me.

1. Tocchet would be the most popular with the core, especially Crosby. He has notably good relationship with Dubas and the Penguins. Will have competition from Vancouver and Philadelphia at least for him.

2. MacDonald is pretty a good bet. Another head coach from the Baby Penguins, following in the footsteps of Therrein, Bylsma, and Sullivan. No NHL head coaching experience.

3. Carle - obviously the hottest coach on the market. Specifically known for youth and development. Only 35 years old. Went to the same Minnesota boarding school as Crosby, but a few years later

4. Nelson is one of the best AHL coaches

5. Quinn and Vellucci are both well liked inside the organization, not clear Dubas wants a continuation of the status quo which makes them unlikely to me.
- SuperHenderson13

Quinn is pretty good at acquiring 1st overall picks. Sign me up.

Soccer is boring. Bring back Tocchet!
- MickV

Yes, soccer is mind numbingly boring and you can have Tocchet!! My fear is that he is Philly bound and I don't want him. I actually thought that Sully would be ear marked for Philly if Torts was still here (moved upstairs), but think that ship sailed when Torts was canned.

I don't see this highly likely at all lol don't think Dubas has any relationship with Tochett, does he?
- j.boyd919

A little research, answered my own Q:

• Dubas and Tocchet both worked for Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Dubas, who is the general manager of Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships in Sweden, recently stated on a podcast that he was hopeful Tocchet would be interested in coaching Canada in Sweden (he turned down the offer, citing his uncertain situation in Vancouver).

I could not believe when Sullivan chose to bench Kyle Connor at 4 nations in favor of playing Chris Kreider and an obviously injured Matthew Tkachuk. I just wanted to throw a stone.

Did not see this coming at this particular time.

That said, I am not sorry to see him go. I don’t really think he was a good X’s and O’s kind of guy. I also do not think he was particularly good at developing young talent. I think he was a great coach for the veteran players, but obviously we are going to be a young team moving forward. I’m very glad to see him go. Thankful for his accomplishments but not the right guy for a rebuilding team.

Did not see this coming at this particular time.

That said, I am not sorry to see him go. I don’t really think he was a good X’s and O’s kind of guy. I also do not think he was particularly good at developing young talent. I think he was a great coach for the veteran players, but obviously we are going to be a young team moving forward. I’m very glad to see him go. Thankful for his accomplishments but not the right guy for a rebuilding team.
- powerhouse

We haven't had young talent to develop until now lol

I’m curious as to what the demands that lead to this divorce was. I’m hoping that the difference in views involved the bottom half of the roster with Sullivan wanting his veterans and Dubas deciding it’s time to stop adding crappy vets to the bottom 6 and let young guys sink or swim since we’re not contenders
- Victoro311

It could be the years of underachieving as a head coach in the national hockey league.

10 seasons?! How many NSF pics did he have of the execs for that job?!

Well, the only thing everybody agreed should happen did. Looking forward to seeing a different look next year.

Thanks for the Cups though Sully. Right guy at the right time. Just vastly overstayed his expiration.

So... Seems evident this was more of a firing than a mutual parting of ways. Dubas has gotten some well deserved flack, but at least he had the balls to do the necessary thing.