Pittsburgh Penguins Fire Associate Coach, More Changes Coming?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have begun making changes this offseason as they have fired associate coach Todd Reirden. And it sounds like the move is not a very popular one by some big names in Pittsburgh, including head coach Mike Sullivan.

There was no shortage of friction in Pittsburgh, where as we reported, coach Mike Sullivan was vehemently opposed to making changes to his staff.

Now that GM Kyle Dubas has fired assistant coach Todd Reirden, is that the tipping point on Sullivan's tenure?

We shall see.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 3, 2024

Per my tweet the other day, @penguins have relieved Associate Coach Reirden , curious to see what other potential changes happen with their staff. Tho they haven’t granted permission for teams re H.C Sullivan, if they mutually agree for his departure it could be via trade.

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 3, 2024

Friction indeed as it's being reported Sullivan wanted his entire staff back next season but President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas had other ideas. Dubas had this to say on the move, via nhl.com:

We are grateful to Todd for his dedication and commitment to the Penguins over two separate stints with the organization. Mike Sullivan and I have spent time over the past two weeks evaluating the coaching staff, and although these decisions are never easy, we agree that this change was in the best interest of the team moving forward.

The Penguins missed the playoffs for the second straight season so the changes are going to continue, and now likely shift to the roster. Reirden was responsible for managing the power play last season, which struggled throughout the entire season and finished with just a 15% efficiency rating, which ranked the Pens 30th out of 32 teams.  

Reirden was in his second stint in Pittsburgh after serving as an assistant from 2010-2014, he's been behind the bench since 2020 after spending time as the head coach of the Washington Capitals.

Look, results are results. Power Play was disastrous.

But Todd Reirden didn’t forget how to coach.

People needed a scalp.

Kyle Dubas, Mike Sullivan and every player from Penguins’ PP — all of whom were allowed to speak to media this season (Reirden wasn’t) — own this one. https://t.co/YD29o7BYoP

— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) May 3, 2024

While Dubas mentioned Sullivan and him agree on the move, it's being reported there's certainly some friction brewing between the two sides.

. @frank_seravalli & @tyleryaremchuk discuss the future ahead for Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan.

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— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) May 3, 2024

Photo credit:  Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports