The Pittsburgh Penguins have fired assistant coach Todd Reirden, as announced by the team on Friday. This decision follows rumors that GM Kyle Dubas was considering coaching changes, despite facing resistance from head coach Mike Sullivan. It also comes after the Penguins missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing fifth in the Metro Division with 88 points and a record of 38-32-12.
Todd Reirden initially joined the Penguins as an assistant coach in the 2010-11 season. After coaching in Pittsburgh for four seasons, he moved to the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach for four more seasons, winning a championship with the Capitals in 2018. He then became the head coach of the Capitals in the 2018-19 season before returning to Pittsburgh as an assistant coach from 2020 to 2024.
GM and President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas issued a statement regarding Reirden’s departure:
“We are grateful to Todd for his dedication and commitment to the Penguins over two separate stints with the organization. Mike Sullivan and I spent time over the past two weeks evaluating the coaching staff. We agree that this change was in the best interest of the team moving forward”.
Penguins In For Some Changes This Summer
Dubas and his team are expected to be busy during the offseason. With Sidney Crosby still a key player on the team, there is pressure to maintain competitiveness and possibly undergo a retooling process.
There are many uncertainties surrounding the Penguins. Will Mike Sullivan continue with the team? Can the core players remain competitive, especially if the team starts slow next season? The future holds many questions and few answers.
Dubas faces a challenging position, with his decisions focused on giving the aging core one last shot at a Stanley Cup. The addition of Erik Karlsson to the team did not pan out as expected, and more changes to the team’s personnel may be on the horizon.
Reirden’s dismissal is just the beginning of a series of moves for the Penguins as they seek to return to the playoff contention next season. The future of Sullivan’s tenure remains uncertain, with potential changes looming.
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