If Not Sullivan, Who Coaches the Penguins?
Amid rumors swirling from the Big Apple that the Rangers covet Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, I only half-jokingly suggested to my esteemed colleague Other Rick that we trade Sullivan to the Rangers for slow-developing former No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière.
Or better still, swap Sully to the Capitals…also in the market for a coach…for heavyweight power forward and marauder extraordinaire Tom Wilson. Such a deal would accomplish several objectives. It would at long last provide the Pens with a genuine physical presence, remove a coach who places severe constraints on roster construction and foist these restrictions (not to mention an aversion to toughness) upon a blood rival. A win, win, win in my book.
Laugh if you will, but there is a precedent…albeit in baseball. On November 5, 1976, the Pirates traded popular all-star catcher Manny Sanguillen to Oakland for manager Chuck Tanner. For the record, the Buccos would go on to win the World Series in 1979.
Of course this is probably all a pipe dream. Although I personally think the Pens could use a fresh voice and approach behind the bench, I don’t think Sullivan’s going anywhere.