Penguins, HC Mike Sullivan Agree to Part Ways After Missing 2025 NHL Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Penguins and head coach Mike Sullivan agreed to part ways on Monday, the team announced.

Sullivan served as Pittsburgh head coach from the 2015-16 season through the end of the team's 2024-25 campaign, winning the Stanley Cup in each of his first two years with the team.

The Penguins missed the playoffs in 2025, ending the season with a 34-36-12 record.

Kyle Dubas, Pittsburgh's general manager and president of hockey operations, thanked the 57-year-old as part of the announcement made by the team.

"On behalf of Fenway Sports Group and the Penguins organization, I would like to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the team and City of Pittsburgh over the past decade," Dubas said. "Mike is known for his preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness. I was fortunate to have a front-row seat to his dedication to this franchise for the past two seasons."

Sullivan finished with a 409-255-89 record in 10 seasons with the Penguins, owning the most wins by a coach in team history.

Pittsburgh's win total has decreased in each of the past three seasons, though. The Penguins also haven't made a playoff appearance since their 2021-22 campaign, which resulted in a first-round defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers.

New York could be a potential future destination for Sullivan after the firing of Peter Laviolette on April 19.

According to Arthur Staple of The Athletic, the Rangers "surely have already been backchanneling" to gauge Sullivan's interest in coming back to the team that he previously served as a assistant coach on from 2009-13.

As for the Penguins, they'll be on the hunt for a new coach as they attempt to rearrange the roster surrounding franchise icons Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and Penguins assistant David Quinn will be among the candidates Pittsburgh will consider for Sullivan's replacement, per Josh Yohe of The Athletic.

When the Penguins attempt to end their playoff drought during the 2025-26 season, they'll do so with a new face behind the bench.