Rumor: Penguins already have a clear frontrunner for coaching job just hours after firing Mike Sullivan

In case you missed the news earlier today, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas fired long-time head coach Mike Sullivan.

In meeting with the media Dubas was asked if captain Sidney Crosby was consulted on the firing. The answer isn't exactly clear, but Dubas did confirm that he spoke with Crosby ahead of Sullivan's official hiring, characterizing their phone call as a "five minute conversation."

If you read between the lines, it reads like Crosby wasn't exactly thrilled with the news. Dubas doubled down on the fact that he "has to do what's right for the organization," even if the players don't agree with his decisions.

Are we headed into an offseason of change for the Penguins? And if so, what does that mean for the future of Crosby in Pittsburgh?

Penguins insider Josh Yohe seems convinced that the team will pursue Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, whose deal with the Canucks expires this offseason. In fact, a number of Penguins insiders seem to be connecting the dots between Tocchet and the Penguins' head coaching job... it makes you wonder if there's fire around all the smoke.

From Yohe:

Consider all of the boxes that Tocchet checks:

• He is among the NHL’s better coaches.

• He’s a longtime member of the Penguins family, having won the Stanley Cup as a player in Pittsburgh in 1992 and as an assistant coach in 2016 and ’17.

• No coach, other than maybe Sullivan, commands Crosby’s respect like Tocchet does.

• Tocchet has a very good reputation for working well with young players, which is important for any new coach in Pittsburgh during this phase.

• Dubas and Tocchet both worked for Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off. Dubas, who is the general manager of Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships in Sweden, recently stated on a podcast that he was hopeful Tocchet would be interested in coaching Canada in Sweden (he turned down the offer, citing his uncertain situation in Vancouver).

Of course, there are hang-ups. Canucks president Jim Rutherford wishes to keep Tocchet in Vancouver, where the head coach’s contract has expired.

Also, another of Tocchet’s former teams, the Philadelphia Flyers, might covet his services.

Tocchet is deeply fond of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and is probably the only man beloved in both cities.

- Josh Yohe

The big question, in my mind, is if the Penguins will have the patience to wait until July 1st when Tocchet is out from under his contract? 

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story.

The Mike Sullivan era of the Pittsburgh Penguins has officially come to an end.

On Monday, in an official statement, the Penguins announced that they would be parting ways with long time head coach Mike Sullivan after a decade of work behind the bench. Sullivan is one of the most respected and revered coaches in the entire National Hockey League so this move comes as a shock despite the Penguins recent struggles.

General manager Kyle Dubas released the following statement:

"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," wrote Dubas in a statement published on the Penguins official website. "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. He will forever be an enormous part of Penguins history, not only for the impressive back-to-back Cups, his impact on the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, but more importantly, for his love and loyalty to the organization. This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but as we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved."

Sullivan found immediate success as head coach of the Penguins winning a Stanley Cup championship in both his first and second seasons behind the bench, but unfortunately he was never able to repeat that success after his first two runs to the Cup. In the last trwo years of his tenure the Penguins failed to even make the playoffs, something that has no doubt played a major factor in today's decision.

Sullivan was beloved in the Pittsburgh area but I do wonder how this news will be received with many fans clearly feeling that changes need to be made moving forward. Was this the right move from the Penguins? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.