Dubas press conference 4-28-2025

[Admin]

Brief Notes:
There were no demands made by Sullivan. That story is false.
Macdonald won’t be a candidate. He only has one year of experience.
Asking if this will bother Sid is a legitimate question.
Had a five minute conversation with Sid before Dubas spoke with Sullivan.
Mutually agreed that it was time to go.

[Puck-Lurker]

Some bits and bobs:

Velluci, Hennis and Chiodo are at the end of their terms, they will be allowed to look for new employment immediately, giving a new HC a clean slate. If they want to stay, Dubas promised they'd get an audience with the new HC (but nothing more). Remaining staff is under contract.

Dubas looks for someone who:
- is a great head coach.
- gets this team into contention new.
- will also at the same time be rebuilding it for the future.
- quickly develops young players
- tweaks and changes his system
- protects the core ideals of the Penguins
Can confirm; Dubas is NOT looking for Mike Sullivan. That seems like all the between the lines criticism Sullivan will get from Dubas.

Called Sid as a courtesy/headsup right before firing Sullivan. As said, 5 minute convo. Then spent a bit of time putting MM in his place; that was well done. You can't even feel too upset about it too if you're on the receiving end.

"There's term remaining on his contract" -- this reads to me like he technically did get fired, contract still on the books. "Teams are going to reach out and ask for permission", which won't be an issue. Nope, I reckon it won't be, FSG would happily ditch the $$ drain in that scenario. Later said that the team that takes on the coach who got fired from his position, but remained under contract, takes over said contract and they'd be on the hook.

MacDonald (as said) is not a candidate, one year experience in the AHL only. He needs to have "some success" in the AHL before he gets consideration.
Quinn does have "deep experience at this level". Sounds like he might get on a short list, since he's in house and under contract.

Said there was no feeling of stagnancy or complacency caused by any special bonds (due to having won a pair of cups with a number of people in the org)

Asked about differences in the way Sullivan and Dubas wanted the Penguins to play. With the right personnel Sully's style is proven to be very effective. Dubas course changed a little in mid answer and brought it back to can we bring in players that fit that style and build on that; and develop players that work within that style. Need to become more competitive, faster, talented, skilled -- those are the focal points in the draft. Then we need to determine what style works best with those players.

Softball about 'unique challenges' of having veteran core and young players coming in. Dubas goes salesman-mode here, speech is significantly faster and lacking ums. Bad question.

Sully was very open and still wanted to coach this team. What changed Dubas' mind? Dubas started to feel it was time to move on, even if Sully is a great coach.

Is Dubas concerned Sid will want to leave now given his relationship with Sully? No.

Continuing on his last interview, where he said "as long as he (Sully) is on that side (wanting to stay), WE will roll with that", indicating he would likely stay. Asking pretty much again, what changed. It wasn't anything specific. Just time to move on, no massive disagreements.

There were no demands from Sullivan.

Veteran coaches versus college, juniors coaches. More inexperienced coaches might be beter at bringing up young talent, have more experience with that specifically. There are different paths to it; juniors to NHL AC to HC. Coaches who worked their way all the way up and a coach who came up from under 13.. They're going to cast a "wide net" to try and get the right guy.

[Admin]

Thank you for a fuller recap!

[largegarlic]

Some bits and bobs:

Velluci, Hennis and Chiodo are at the end of their terms, they will be allowed to look for new employment immediately, giving a new HC a clean slate. If they want to stay, Dubas promised they'd get an audience with the new HC (but nothing more). Remaining staff is under contract.

Dubas looks for someone who:
- is a great head coach.
- gets this team into contention new.
- will also at the same time be rebuilding it for the future.
- quickly develops young players
- tweaks and changes his system
- protects the core ideals of the Penguins
Can confirm; Dubas is NOT looking for Mike Sullivan. That seems like all the between the lines criticism Sullivan will get from Dubas.

Called Sid as a courtesy/headsup right before firing Sullivan. As said, 5 minute convo. Then spent a bit of time putting MM in his place; that was well done. You can't even feel too upset about it too if you're on the receiving end.

"There's term remaining on his contract" -- this reads to me like he technically did get fired, contract still on the books. "Teams are going to reach out and ask for permission", which won't be an issue. Nope, I reckon it won't be, FSG would happily ditch the $$ drain in that scenario. Later said that the team that takes on the coach who got fired from his position, but remained under contract, takes over said contract and they'd be on the hook.

MacDonald (as said) is not a candidate, one year experience in the AHL only. He needs to have "some success" in the AHL before he gets consideration.
Quinn does have "deep experience at this level". Sounds like he might get on a short list, since he's in house and under contract.

Said there was no feeling of stagnancy or complacency caused by any special bonds (due to having won a pair of cups with a number of people in the org)

Asked about differences in the way Sullivan and Dubas wanted the Penguins to play. With the right personnel Sully's style is proven to be very effective. Dubas course changed a little in mid answer and brought it back to can we bring in players that fit that style and build on that; and develop players that work within that style. Need to become more competitive, faster, talented, skilled -- those are the focal points in the draft. Then we need to determine what style works best with those players.

Softball about 'unique challenges' of having veteran core and young players coming in. Dubas goes salesman-mode here, speech is significantly faster and lacking ums. Bad question.

Sully was very open and still wanted to coach this team. What changed Dubas' mind? Dubas started to feel it was time to move on, even if Sully is a great coach.

Is Dubas concerned Sid will want to leave now given his relationship with Sully? No.

Continuing on his last interview, where he said "as long as he (Sully) is on that side (wanting to stay), WE will roll with that", indicating he would likely stay. Asking pretty much again, what changed. It wasn't anything specific. Just time to move on, no massive disagreements.

There were no demands from Sullivan.

Veteran coaches versus college, juniors coaches. More inexperienced coaches might be beter at bringing up young talent, have more experience with that specifically. There are different paths to it; juniors to NHL AC to HC. Coaches who worked their way all the way up and a coach who came up from under 13.. They're going to cast a "wide net" to try and get the right guy.

Thanks for the recap. It is weird that changed so drastically in a week. I do agree with the idea that they probably had different thoughts about how the rebuild would go/if they would rebuild at all, and that's what led to a parting of the ways. But it's weird that these differences weren't apparent before this, and Dubas and Sullivan kept sounding like it was "till death do they part."

[100565]

Watching the PC reaffirmed my thought that KD will be patient this year. He seems to grasp the team position well. He has a plan. I think he will try to be quite active this offseason but will refrain from signing top UFAs.

[Puck-Lurker]

If you are one to read between lines.. there are some little things in the bag that got said, but probably not heard

Sullivan not adapting his system to the players they have is one. System might work fine with a team that has all the pieces to be a contender. Penguins aren't that right now, so the system doesn't really work well.

Sullivan's long tenure is another. He's been here for a very long time and it's just genuinely time to change scenery. That's always a fair shout; he stuck to this one mostly to shroud any other things he might have on his mind, but it's fair. Is this the right person to move forward, can we expect Sully to carry out a long rebuild is an adjacent thought, Dubas thought he couldn't expect Sully to shoulder that for a few years. Also a fair shout.

Sullivan's development of younger players is also in question here. Though Dubas did bring up Sullivan's past in developing talent (in the AHL and as a development coach for a season with the Hawks). That he specifically mentioned that was one of the things they were looking for.. tied with not thinking Sullivan would be up to carrying out that as part of his objectives.. might move the needle further towards firing, too.

I also question whether Sullivan himself would be content with having to rebuild over a longer period. I think this is where the mutual agreement to part ways (e.g. fire Sullivan) comes from. Look Mike, we're going to pay you for not being the head coach for a while and you can join whatever team you like. Maybe a contender or bubble team you like comes in with a good offer. Sullivan knows there's teams that will want him.


Thing with Dubas though, you can never catch him on anything. He's a rather tactful communicator and runs with truth and partial truth exclusively; he doesn't seem to dodge questions, because he frankly never needs to. When asked to comment on what someone might do/say/feel, he'll refuse to speak for someone else; won't give details of meetings he has. Yet he always tends to be out there offering the broad strokes -- cast in a favourable light towards the org and whichever specific person it's about. He's also happy to just take about every kind of blame anyone wants to throw. Whatever else I might think of Dubas, it's skillfully done.

If anyone thought Sullivan was running this team, this is a wake up call, too. Dubas goes to B- for the season.

[KG]

After listening to the presser, this was no mutual parting of the ways as has been put out there by some. Dubas clearly thought that a change was needed and fired him.

Good on Dubas. I agree with the move and his exclamation about the process.

Hopefully we bring in a good, smart young coach.

[DelPen]

I had no idea all of the assistants were up on their contracts. Makes a lot more sense to make a head coach change now and start totally fresh.

[thehockeyguru]

After listening to the presser, this was no mutual parting of the ways as has been put out there by some. Dubas clearly thought that a change was needed and fired him.

Good on Dubas. I agree with the move and his exclamation about the process.

Hopefully we bring in a good, smart young coach.

David Carle would be high on my list he recently pulled his name from consideration in Chicago. Total speculation on my part but I wonder if Dubas reached out before making his decision on Sullivan

[Ericf]

I had no idea all of the assistants were up on their contracts. Makes a lot more sense to make a head coach change now and start totally fresh.

Not all of the assistants. I believe Velluci and Quinn are both still under contract

[KG]

I had no idea all of the assistants were up on their contracts. Makes a lot more sense to make a head coach change now and start totally fresh.

Not all of the assistants. I believe Velluci and Quinn are both still under contract

Velluci is up as is Hynes. KD didn’t mention Quinn during the presser. He probably signed more than a 1 year deal last season.

[Gremlin1227]

I feel that Dubas should be the one to go! Having an ever changing of players on the cheap and expecting consistency is a big ask. Trading for "his" players only to later trade them for more picks is basically a total rebuild mindset. Then expecting the core to carry the team with no chemistry with most teammates is not the best way to achieve a return to contention. There's a reason why he didn't last long in Toronto and it shows. I personally feel he never should have traded Guentzel unless he planned on bringing him back but, we see how that went. The Penguins still have a lot of talent up and down the line and they could be a contender next year but, I don't think Dubas will stand pat and will continue to make bonehead moves that will continue to undermine the team. I may be off base but, I've noticed a pattern and I see no chance of it changing. I just hope he doesn't waste the remaining years of Crosby,Malkin, and LeTang.

[FLPensFan]

Been traveling for work today so haven't been able to comment much. I think Dubas likely had an idea that this was going to happen when he spoke early last week, but he hadn't talked to Sullivan yet. He was never going to give any indication he could be out until he talked to Sullivan.

My gut says two things happened. 1) I did see some quotes where Dubas said he had wondered if a change might be needed at points this season. 2) I think Sullivan likely wanted a quicker return to contention, while Dubas has a heightened sense of urgency, he doesn't feel forced to rush it.

Dubas has always praised Sullivan's work ethic. He put in the work every day. But, I don't think Dubas could overlook the constant odd man rushes, the large amount of first shot and first 5 shots goal, constantly playing from behind. This has looked like a team that is no longer following Sullivan's lead.

It was time. Good on Dubas for pulling the trigger. 7 years of excuses was more than enough. Thanks for your service Mike. Thanks for the Cups. Maybe you'll do better elsewhere.

[dark_forces]

Been traveling for work today so haven't been able to comment much. I think Dubas likely had an idea that this was going to happen when he spoke early last week, but he hadn't talked to Sullivan yet. He was never going to give any indication he could be out until he talked to Sullivan.

My gut says two things happened. 1) I did see some quotes where Dubas said he had wondered if a change might be needed at points this season. 2) I think Sullivan likely wanted a quicker return to contention, while Dubas has a heightened sense of urgency, he doesn't feel forced to rush it.

Dubas has always praised Sullivan's work ethic. He put in the work every day. But, I don't think Dubas could overlook the constant odd man rushes, the large amount of first shot and first 5 shots goal, constantly playing from behind. This has looked like a team that is no longer following Sullivan's lead.

It was time. Good on Dubas for pulling the trigger. 7 years of excuses was more than enough. Thanks for your service Mike. Thanks for the Cups. Maybe you'll do better elsewhere.

The years and years of blown leads are what get me. As a team, you don't have to have great talent to play decent defense. It's a commitment to hard work and attention paid to doing the little things. Blame Jarry and goaltending breakdowns, that's part of it, but this team consistently couldn't hold onto and close out 3rd period leads that, often, even average teams manage to do.
That, to me, was a great failing of recent Sullivan years.

[Pens4Life]

I feel that Dubas should be the one to go! Having an ever changing of players on the cheap and expecting consistency is a big ask. Trading for "his" players only to later trade them for more picks is basically a total rebuild mindset. Then expecting the core to carry the team with no chemistry with most teammates is not the best way to achieve a return to contention. There's a reason why he didn't last long in Toronto and it shows. I personally feel he never should have traded Guentzel unless he planned on bringing him back but, we see how that went. The Penguins still have a lot of talent up and down the line and they could be a contender next year but, I don't think Dubas will stand pat and will continue to make bonehead moves that will continue to undermine the team. I may be off base but, I've noticed a pattern and I see no chance of it changing. I just hope he doesn't waste the remaining years of Crosby,Malkin, and LeTang.

You missed a lot of talents and picks he got during his years here.. before Dubas there was nothing, almost zero talent in AHL and very empty draft pool! Guentzel trade was great for Pens overall, same as plenty trades this year for soft rebuild.
Wanting Dubas gone before Sullivan?? Man oh man..

7 years of nothing? While we changed GMs, 85-90% of the team and you still blame others, not the coach? Wauuu

[Puck-Lurker]

Yes. Dubas has made Dubious decisions.

The Jarry and Graves contracts are on him. He kept Sullivan all this time, but he did fire him. He has Acciari on the books, but it's not impossible to get rid of him and no massive penalty on demoting him. Are we going to rag on him for getting Nieto, letting Pool Party go and that stuff? Hmm I'm not sure I would. The effects on the ice were in no small part due to coaching, maybe he did get a couple of the wrong guys for cheap.

Everything else.. ranges from meh to good move. This season, made a bunch of moves to acquire picks. Beauvillier, Eller, Guentzel, Bunting, Pettersson and DOC. Used nothing or late picks to pick up Timmins, Dewar, Novak, Tomasino, POJ and so on. Won't keep absolutely everyone longer term but okay.

He extended Sid two years and fired Sullivan. He's also slowly but surely changing his message towards a focus on rebuilding to get good, rather than to sell the house to hope to qualify and get utterly lucky in the playoffs.

Not sure what more is expected at this point. He waited too long to fire Sullivan, imo, I had as due date the previous trade deadline. But, I'll take it.

I'm excited, more than I've been in three years.

[Daniel]

Yes. Dubas has made Dubious decisions.

The Jarry and Graves contracts are on him. He kept Sullivan all this time, but he did fire him. He has Acciari on the books, but it's not impossible to get rid of him and no massive penalty on demoting him. Are we going to rag on him for getting Nieto, letting Pool Party go and that stuff? Hmm I'm not sure I would. The effects on the ice were in no small part due to coaching, maybe he did get a couple of the wrong guys for cheap.

Everything else.. ranges from meh to good move. This season, made a bunch of moves to acquire picks. Beauvillier, Eller, Guentzel, Bunting, Pettersson and DOC. Used nothing or late picks to pick up Timmins, Dewar, Novak, Tomasino, POJ and so on. Won't keep absolutely everyone longer term but okay.

He extended Sid two years and fired Sullivan. He's also slowly but surely changing his message towards a focus on rebuilding to get good, rather than to sell the house to hope to qualify and get utterly lucky in the playoffs.

Not sure what more is expected at this point. He waited too long to fire Sullivan, imo, I had as due date the previous trade deadline. But, I'll take it.

I'm excited, more than I've been in three years.

Graves was a top UFA defensemen and was a good signing at the time. Jarry was the only option for Dubas so he had to overpay him. As bad as Jarry has been, what happens if he's not signed?

Let's see how they do with a different coach.

[Victor]

Yes. Dubas has made Dubious decisions.

The Jarry and Graves contracts are on him. He kept Sullivan all this time, but he did fire him. He has Acciari on the books, but it's not impossible to get rid of him and no massive penalty on demoting him. Are we going to rag on him for getting Nieto, letting Pool Party go and that stuff? Hmm I'm not sure I would. The effects on the ice were in no small part due to coaching, maybe he did get a couple of the wrong guys for cheap.

Everything else.. ranges from meh to good move. This season, made a bunch of moves to acquire picks. Beauvillier, Eller, Guentzel, Bunting, Pettersson and DOC. Used nothing or late picks to pick up Timmins, Dewar, Novak, Tomasino, POJ and so on. Won't keep absolutely everyone longer term but okay.

He extended Sid two years and fired Sullivan. He's also slowly but surely changing his message towards a focus on rebuilding to get good, rather than to sell the house to hope to qualify and get utterly lucky in the playoffs.

Not sure what more is expected at this point. He waited too long to fire Sullivan, imo, I had as due date the previous trade deadline. But, I'll take it.

I'm excited, more than I've been in three years.

Graves was a top UFA defensemen and was a good signing at the time. Jarry was the only option for Dubas so he had to overpay him. As bad as Jarry has been, what happens if he's not signed?

Let's see how they do with a different coach.

Jarry would have been a disappointment somewhere else if not signed. I'd rather take a flyer on a 1y x 3M guy than pay someone as inconsistent as Jarry more than 5M for 5 years. It was probably too much to ask for this franchise to avoid signing both Murray and Jarry to rich contracts.

Graves I still have hope he can be at least decent with more suitable coaching. He was possibly a product of solid defensive systems before signing in Pittsburgh.

[Puck-Lurker]

Yes. Dubas has made Dubious decisions.

The Jarry and Graves contracts are on him. He kept Sullivan all this time, but he did fire him. He has Acciari on the books, but it's not impossible to get rid of him and no massive penalty on demoting him. Are we going to rag on him for getting Nieto, letting Pool Party go and that stuff? Hmm I'm not sure I would. The effects on the ice were in no small part due to coaching, maybe he did get a couple of the wrong guys for cheap.

Everything else.. ranges from meh to good move. This season, made a bunch of moves to acquire picks. Beauvillier, Eller, Guentzel, Bunting, Pettersson and DOC. Used nothing or late picks to pick up Timmins, Dewar, Novak, Tomasino, POJ and so on. Won't keep absolutely everyone longer term but okay.

He extended Sid two years and fired Sullivan. He's also slowly but surely changing his message towards a focus on rebuilding to get good, rather than to sell the house to hope to qualify and get utterly lucky in the playoffs.

Not sure what more is expected at this point. He waited too long to fire Sullivan, imo, I had as due date the previous trade deadline. But, I'll take it.

I'm excited, more than I've been in three years.

Graves was a top UFA defensemen and was a good signing at the time. Jarry was the only option for Dubas so he had to overpay him. As bad as Jarry has been, what happens if he's not signed?

Let's see how they do with a different coach.

Right now, both are very damaged goods, maybe beyond repair. Maybe, maybe not. But as it stands, those are currently misses.

If only Jarry was a candidate to sign, not signing Jarry and do without him IS the other option. You can do what he tried with the offense for goalie position. Throw enough s*** at the wall and hope something sticks. Bunch of third string guys to fight it out, whatever is in the system (Larsson and Murashov were not known yet, but you can reasonably pick up a guy like Larsson when you have a need)

I'm sure there are plenty of other goalies that can give up a billion goals on the first few shots, don't come with the same contract term, AAV or NTC. Is it reasonable to expect Dubas to walk that road? Probably not, but tell me we would be worse off and explain it in two syllable words so I can understand.

Don't say no one saw any of this coming at the time; people did. I know I said anything over a 1M short term contract (no way in hell does that happen) would be a mistake. I'll stand by it.
(Edit: someone alert the Jarry Defense Force)


Yes.. I'm curious to see if any players suddenly start recovering from being horrible. Jarry was kinda middle of the road at the end. A few excellent performances, some atrocious ones and bunch in-between. Graves hasn't looked good here...

[bse]

I feel like Graves will make a big turnaround with a new head coach and system

[stonewizard51]

I feel the same way about Karlsson

[dark_forces]

I feel the same way about Karlsson

It makes you wonder if Karlsson still ends up being dealt...

[KG]

I feel the same way about Karlsson

It makes you wonder if Karlsson still ends up being dealt...

I have no doubt that Karlsson would play better in a different system, but I still think he gets dealt since he's chasing a Cup.

[Maestro]

Yes. Dubas has made Dubious decisions.

The Jarry and Graves contracts are on him. He kept Sullivan all this time, but he did fire him. He has Acciari on the books, but it's not impossible to get rid of him and no massive penalty on demoting him. Are we going to rag on him for getting Nieto, letting Pool Party go and that stuff? Hmm I'm not sure I would. The effects on the ice were in no small part due to coaching, maybe he did get a couple of the wrong guys for cheap.

Everything else.. ranges from meh to good move. This season, made a bunch of moves to acquire picks. Beauvillier, Eller, Guentzel, Bunting, Pettersson and DOC. Used nothing or late picks to pick up Timmins, Dewar, Novak, Tomasino, POJ and so on. Won't keep absolutely everyone longer term but okay.

He extended Sid two years and fired Sullivan. He's also slowly but surely changing his message towards a focus on rebuilding to get good, rather than to sell the house to hope to qualify and get utterly lucky in the playoffs.

Not sure what more is expected at this point. He waited too long to fire Sullivan, imo, I had as due date the previous trade deadline. But, I'll take it.

I'm excited, more than I've been in three years.

Graves was a top UFA defensemen and was a good signing at the time. Jarry was the only option for Dubas so he had to overpay him. As bad as Jarry has been, what happens if he's not signed?

Let's see how they do with a different coach.

Post of the week

[rgj]

Go back in your office and sulk, DubASS. This is ALL on you. Hey.....you can hire Tortellino.....he'd at least get in the face of your inept roster players, maybe even YOU.