With the NHL offseason being in full swing for a lot of groups, the teaching carousel continued to spin Monday with the fourth head coach firing.

The Pittsburgh Penguins introduced that the franchise was parting methods with Mike Sullivan after 10 seasons. The Penguins certified for the postseason in seven of these seasons, together with profitable back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh failed to succeed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in every of the previous three seasons, which prompted the group to make a change behind the bench.

“On behalf of Fenway Sports activities Group and the Penguins group, I want to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering dedication and loyalty to the workforce and Metropolis of Pittsburgh over the previous decade,” Penguins basic supervisor Kyle Dubas stated in an announcement. “Mike is thought for his preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness. I used to be lucky to have a front-row seat to his dedication to this franchise for the previous two seasons.”

“He’ll ceaselessly be an infinite a part of Penguins historical past, not just for the spectacular back-to-back Cups, his impression on the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, however extra importantly, for his love and loyalty to the group. This was not a call that was taken flippantly, however as we proceed to navigate the Penguins by way of this transitional interval, we felt it was the most effective course ahead for all concerned.”

The Penguins will start conducting a training search instantly.

Final week, the Seattle Kraken introduced they had been shifting on from Dan Bylsma after one season as head coach. The Kraken went 35-41-6 in Bylsma’s lone season, ending seventh within the Pacific Division with 76 factors. Seattle will now search for their third coach within the franchise’s brief historical past, as they determined Bylsma’s lone season with the Kraken was not encouraging sufficient to warrant a return for 2025-26. 

“We thank Dan for his dedication and the vitality he delivered to our group over the previous 4 years on the NHL and AHL ranges,” stated Kraken GM Ron Francis. “After an intensive overview of the season and our expectations for subsequent 12 months and past, we have made the tough determination to maneuver in a distinct path behind the bench.”

After a disappointing season that ended with the workforce lacking the playoffs for the primary time since 2021, the New York Rangers fired Peter Laviolette earlier this month. In his two seasons behind the Rangers bench, Laviolette led the workforce to an general file of 94-59-11. In 2024, New York went to the Jap Convention Closing below Laviolette’s watch.

Coming into 2024-25, the Rangers had been anticipated to contend for the Stanley Cup once more, however the wheels fell off after a scorching begin. Key gamers turned in underwhelming seasons, and the Rangers could not ever discover any consistency.

Within the workforce’s announcement, basic supervisor Chris Drury thanked Laviolette and assistant coach Phil Housley for his or her service to the workforce.

“Peter is top notch all the way in which, each professionally and personally, and I’m really grateful for his ardour and dedication to the Rangers in his time as head coach,” Drury stated in an announcement.

Shortly earlier than the Rangers fired Laviolette, the Anaheim Geese made the primary transfer of the offseason teaching carousel, firing Greg Cronin after two seasons.

In his first marketing campaign behind the Geese bench, Cronin led the workforce to a 27-50-5 file, which was good for seventh within the Pacific Division. In 2024-25, Anaheim did present enchancment within the win column, going 35-37-10, however the workforce nonetheless completed sixth within the division and 16 factors out of a playoff spot.

In an announcement, Geese basic supervisor Pat Verbeek stated firing Cronin was a tricky determination, however he felt the workforce “wanted a change in path and a brand new voice.” As Anaheim begins its search fro a brand new coach, the workforce will doubtless search for somebody who can get the younger core to take the leap into playoff rivalry.

As groups put a bow on the 2024-25 season, extra teaching adjustments will probably be on the way in which, so keep tuned to CBS Sports activities to maintain up with all of the motion.