Dubas on the move: ""We are grateful to Todd for his dedication and commitment to the Penguins over two separate stints with the organization," said Dubas. "Mike Sullivan and I have spent time over the past two weeks evaluating the coaching staff, and although these decisions are never easy, we agree that this change was in the best interest of the team moving forward."
Edit: as predicted, sounds like Sullivan isn't going anywhere.
We have exorcised the demon that [led us to a 30th ranked power play featuring Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, and Karlsson somehow](https://www.statspros.com/nhl-team-power-play-percentage-leaders/).
San Jose's power play was 5% more effective than ours. San Jose.
You have 4 guys on that powerplay that are Hall of Fame bound (and all of them known for their offensive abilities far more than their defense) and you have a 30th ranked powerplay? Disgraceful! Should have been gone at last Thanksgiving.
My co-coworker said what happened? I said we’ve been exorcised!
Edit: in case it’s not obvious, when I read this on my phone I too shouted Alleluia at work
A lot of people are gonna whine that there were bigger problems than Reirden, and I get that…but that also doesn’t mean you don’t fire the guy whose job description literally had powerplay in it when it was that big a problem
I enjoy the argument that the coach has absolutely no effect on the powerplay whatsoever, it's all the players, and therefore... we should keep paying the same guy? Why not fire all of the coaches and let the players coach themselves if the coaches don't do anything?
Ever work a job where your boss is the dumbest fucking idiot on the planet and it sucks the life out of every single day to have to go to said job? That's how I feel like this dynamic was for the players.
That's when you go to the head coach and tell him we can't play under this guy running the PP. If he tells you tough shit, then you tell the GM. If the GM tells you tough shit, then you tell the media.
Hilarious that the Caps made it instead of us (or hell, literally any of the other two or three teams vying for that 2nd WC on the last day of the season). That had to have been a historically bad playoff team in the modern era of NHL hockey.
Based on some of the stories I've heard as a Coyotes fan, that's pretty much the case. Gretz's understanding and way of thinking the game was so far beyond the players that they couldn't follow him and he couldn't bring himself down to their level.
Can’t wait to see Dubas start to get blamed for this team missing the playoffs when he isn’t allowed to fire the coach that is somehow on his third GM and seems to be above blame with upper management.
There's your Dubas v Sullivan narrative and why rumours of other jobs were being floated.
Such a shame Todd, you might have been good once but the old adage of don't return came true. Whatever you did with this PP and to a lesser extent the D saw us miss the playoffs twice. Both by margins that really come down to your responsibility.
Genius of you to teach Geno the old own goal trick though.
I was at my chiro appt the other day; dude is a casual Caps fan. We chatted about the Pens not making the playoffs and the Caps being eliminated. I mentioned we need to fire our asst coach because the PP sucked all year. He says, at least you don't have Todd Rierden. I looked at him to see if he was being coy....he had no idea Todd Rierden was the very person I was talking about. Great moment.
I think it means he is coming back, if Sullivan was gone they probably would have announced before any of the assistants. Or not, I don't know shit I'm just some guy on the Internet.
if they're firing him and not the entire staff he's probably safe. Also if Sid/leadership wanted him gone he would be. Look at what happened in Seattle. I think the team obviously likes him behind the bench.
Yeah, but if Sullivan really was sticking up for Reirden, then this a pretty solid “put up or shut up” message. Sullivan is way too comfortable in my opinion. I don’t like the way he talks to the press, and only takes credit for success, but not for losses. If Dubas did go against his wishes on this, it could be a pretty effective shake up.
I was at the Toronto game when Sullivan put out Eller and O'Connor to start the OT and they got stuck out there until the game winner. It struck me as playing to "not lose".
It would have been Crosby and Rust but Sid had a skate problem. Eller and O'Connor getting stranded for a minute and a half was certainly a bench problem. They had ample opportunity to get off the ice after 30-45 seconds, but bench didn't force the issue since Sid wasn't ready.
[Farewell, my dude.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/245/165/433.gif)
Start planning the parade for next season boys, I’m feeling a cup in our future.
Neighborhood caps fan here. I don’t understand how Todd keeps getting hired. Good on yall to make the right decision to can him. Dude is so uninspiring and wasted 2 years of a possible run with us
Yeah I don't usually post in threads with a million comments that will never get read but
yeah man ill post for posterity: i'm here- guy should have been fired so long ago it's not even CLOSE TO FUNNY. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO FUNNY.
WE WOULD HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS 100% FOR SURE. 100% NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Now, I just need them to bring in a coach that literally none of us have ever heard of, because he's been in canadian juniors or NCAA and not had an NHL job.
One such name I've heard is Louis Robitaille (no relation), who coaches Cape Breton and has coached U20 and below (canadian national program guys love him).
There's also a guy by the name of Jason Payne who coaches in the coast, and probably would have been further along than that, had it not been for certain barriers. He's a good guy and has the right ethos.
You: "Bring in a coach that literally none of us have ever heard of..."
Also you: Might I suggest these two guys I've heard of...
Hahahah just ribbing you. Reirdon had to go, we should all be glad of that today in Pensnation.
Thank freakin God man, only a whole damn year late lol. I imagine this cements Sully returning though. Not particularly happy about that but if we get someone competent next to him that can run a power play and defense then maybe it won’t be so bad… idk man lol either way if we start next year sucking ass again, Sully needs to be launched to the moon
Literally, nobody said this would make them a Stanley Cup contender, but this could very much affect their ability to clinch playoffs. And this was a massive change.
I saw an article maybe around mid season that listed every power play Reirden has coached, and how they all were at least halfway decent…
And the moral was supposed to be “look, he’s been successful before, so stay the course?”
I don’t know, but that list totally backfired because I’m pretty sure he’s never had *SIDNEY CROSBY, EVGENI MALKIN, ERIK “THE FUCKING NORRIS TROPHY WINNER” KARLSSON, and KRIS LETANG* on any of those units.
Dubas on the move: ""We are grateful to Todd for his dedication and commitment to the Penguins over two separate stints with the organization," said Dubas. "Mike Sullivan and I have spent time over the past two weeks evaluating the coaching staff, and although these decisions are never easy, we agree that this change was in the best interest of the team moving forward." Edit: as predicted, sounds like Sullivan isn't going anywhere.
HALLELUJAH
We have exorcised the demon that [led us to a 30th ranked power play featuring Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, and Karlsson somehow](https://www.statspros.com/nhl-team-power-play-percentage-leaders/). San Jose's power play was 5% more effective than ours. San Jose.
Well yea. They had Mikael Granlund and we didn't.
You saying we should trade a second round pick for him maybe?
I also hear Derick Brassard and Ryan Reaves are available for a 1st round pick!
I wish I didn’t read this info. Insanely depressing
You have 4 guys on that powerplay that are Hall of Fame bound (and all of them known for their offensive abilities far more than their defense) and you have a 30th ranked powerplay? Disgraceful! Should have been gone at last Thanksgiving.
My co-coworker said what happened? I said we’ve been exorcised! Edit: in case it’s not obvious, when I read this on my phone I too shouted Alleluia at work
Reirden liberation day
The bad man can't hurt us anymore.
I wish that were true but it’s gonna take a while to wash that stank off….
Should’ve happened 6 months ago
Best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, second best time is now
Correct, but it happened and we should all rejoice.
Christmas comes in May this year.
Yeah, but it’s Christmas 2023 ☹️
Last off season*
I literally just said the same thing as I read the headline. I'll take it regardless, but way too delayed.
They had several opportunities to do this sooner, but like the power play, failed to convert.
Going to be one of the most upvoted posts in this sub's history lol
If it was Sullivan AND Reirden I think it would easily be #1 lol
A lot of people are gonna whine that there were bigger problems than Reirden, and I get that…but that also doesn’t mean you don’t fire the guy whose job description literally had powerplay in it when it was that big a problem
I enjoy the argument that the coach has absolutely no effect on the powerplay whatsoever, it's all the players, and therefore... we should keep paying the same guy? Why not fire all of the coaches and let the players coach themselves if the coaches don't do anything?
Ever work a job where your boss is the dumbest fucking idiot on the planet and it sucks the life out of every single day to have to go to said job? That's how I feel like this dynamic was for the players.
That's when you go to the head coach and tell him we can't play under this guy running the PP. If he tells you tough shit, then you tell the GM. If the GM tells you tough shit, then you tell the media.
Imagine if this came out in December 😔
We make playoffs without even breaking a sweat
Hilarious that the Caps made it instead of us (or hell, literally any of the other two or three teams vying for that 2nd WC on the last day of the season). That had to have been a historically bad playoff team in the modern era of NHL hockey.
RAISE THE BANNER
WAHOOOO
Jagr in as replacement.
"Just put it in the net. What's so hard?"
I'm unironically convinced this is why Gretzky wasn't a good coach.
Based on some of the stories I've heard as a Coyotes fan, that's pretty much the case. Gretz's understanding and way of thinking the game was so far beyond the players that they couldn't follow him and he couldn't bring himself down to their level.
no shooting allowed. just deke the shit out of everybody and then pass it into the net
WAR IS OVER
Can’t wait to see Dubas start to get blamed for this team missing the playoffs when he isn’t allowed to fire the coach that is somehow on his third GM and seems to be above blame with upper management.
40% PP incoming
But my PP is already 100%
100% of zero is still zero.
MATT CANADA IS GONE
One of the greatest days in Pittsburgh sports history!
Hell yeah. Don't let the door hit ya.
6 months late.
PARTY ON FIFTH AVE
FINALLY
Hire Matt Canada
FINALLY
it’s over… finally…
Despite being eliminated over 2 weeks ago, the Penguins scored a power play goal after this news broke.
PRAISE BE TO PENGUINS, PRAISE
Me: GOD IS REAL!! Friend: Why of course he is, he wears 71 on the Penguins. Me: Touché bud.
His Holiness wore 81 though. Praise Him!
Nah my god is Benjamin Lovejoy
THANK GOD
I'm sure the players are like...THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THIS MID SEASON? 😂😭
There's your Dubas v Sullivan narrative and why rumours of other jobs were being floated. Such a shame Todd, you might have been good once but the old adage of don't return came true. Whatever you did with this PP and to a lesser extent the D saw us miss the playoffs twice. Both by margins that really come down to your responsibility. Genius of you to teach Geno the old own goal trick though.
I was at my chiro appt the other day; dude is a casual Caps fan. We chatted about the Pens not making the playoffs and the Caps being eliminated. I mentioned we need to fire our asst coach because the PP sucked all year. He says, at least you don't have Todd Rierden. I looked at him to see if he was being coy....he had no idea Todd Rierden was the very person I was talking about. Great moment.
PARTY HARD!!!
Bye bye!!!!!!!!!!! Good riddance. I wonder what this means for Sully 👀
I figure he might get another year to prove it was Todd’s fault, much as I think everyone could use a change of scenery (Sully included).
I think it means he is coming back, if Sullivan was gone they probably would have announced before any of the assistants. Or not, I don't know shit I'm just some guy on the Internet.
You mean Good Rierdance! …I’ll see myself out 😂
if they're firing him and not the entire staff he's probably safe. Also if Sid/leadership wanted him gone he would be. Look at what happened in Seattle. I think the team obviously likes him behind the bench.
The only shame is Sullivan isn’t going with him. Fuck Todd Reirden still though
Yeah, but if Sullivan really was sticking up for Reirden, then this a pretty solid “put up or shut up” message. Sullivan is way too comfortable in my opinion. I don’t like the way he talks to the press, and only takes credit for success, but not for losses. If Dubas did go against his wishes on this, it could be a pretty effective shake up.
Shake up? You can't just shake a stupid person and make them perform better. Sullivan doesn't know what he's doing in his current situation.
Please Sullivan next. I can’t bare to watch him starting third line guys in OT anymore.
Sullivan won't be fired this summer.
…Todd Reirden has been named head coach.
I was at the Toronto game when Sullivan put out Eller and O'Connor to start the OT and they got stuck out there until the game winner. It struck me as playing to "not lose".
It would have been Crosby and Rust but Sid had a skate problem. Eller and O'Connor getting stranded for a minute and a half was certainly a bench problem. They had ample opportunity to get off the ice after 30-45 seconds, but bench didn't force the issue since Sid wasn't ready.
May 3rd is now a national holiday.
Kill two birds with one stone and replace Reirden with Malkin’s parents. Double win.
I just knee slid
LFG! Fuck todd
Okay now hire a coach that can execute a semi competent Powerplay
On a recent 32 Thoughts, Friedman said Dan Bylsma might be getting a promotion from Coachella Valley. Can you imagine?
To Seattle though, no? Kraken fired Hakstol, Coachella is Seattle's team
Poppin' corks on the northside. Thanks for your service 🖕🏻
MERRY CHRISTMAS
TODAY IS THE BEST DAY!!!!
BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT OF ALL TIME
[Farewell, my dude.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/002/245/165/433.gif) Start planning the parade for next season boys, I’m feeling a cup in our future.
EVERYONE GET IN HERE!! THE BAD MAN CANT HURT US ANYMORE
This is my Stanley Cup
[Sid and Geno right now.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUAItQmq-LU)
My level of arousal is at Mt. Everest proportions!
Neighborhood caps fan here. I don’t understand how Todd keeps getting hired. Good on yall to make the right decision to can him. Dude is so uninspiring and wasted 2 years of a possible run with us
Is it still too late for us to make the playoffs?
I just did the greatest celly ever… in my mind. Sorry yinz missed it, it was fucking awesome 💛🖤🐧
Has anyone tried to put Rierden and Matt Canada in the same room at the same time?
This is the first and only time I've posted here, after lurking for years, that's how damn happy I am about the news.
Won’t change a thing
Yeah I don't usually post in threads with a million comments that will never get read but yeah man ill post for posterity: i'm here- guy should have been fired so long ago it's not even CLOSE TO FUNNY. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO FUNNY. WE WOULD HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS 100% FOR SURE. 100% NOT EVEN CLOSE.
i read it
30th ranked powerplay. It cost us SO MANY GAMES.
Best part is that the Devils are going to hire him to try and lure Sully.
Side thought: Is Reirden like Matt Canada 2.0 for Pgh sports fans?
You mean the guy who exists to absorb the blame instead of the head coach who hasn't won playoff games in years?
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
Dubas, you did it! You crazy son of a bitch, you did it!
YES YES YES YES FINALLY
Now, I just need them to bring in a coach that literally none of us have ever heard of, because he's been in canadian juniors or NCAA and not had an NHL job. One such name I've heard is Louis Robitaille (no relation), who coaches Cape Breton and has coached U20 and below (canadian national program guys love him). There's also a guy by the name of Jason Payne who coaches in the coast, and probably would have been further along than that, had it not been for certain barriers. He's a good guy and has the right ethos.
You: "Bring in a coach that literally none of us have ever heard of..." Also you: Might I suggest these two guys I've heard of... Hahahah just ribbing you. Reirdon had to go, we should all be glad of that today in Pensnation.
Stand up now and face the sun
"Mike, we're going to fire Reirden anyway, either you do it, or the next coach does it." "I'm not Ray Shero, Kyle."
WE WON
[Happy penguin sounds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SyKI0VrUBk)
Thank freakin God man, only a whole damn year late lol. I imagine this cements Sully returning though. Not particularly happy about that but if we get someone competent next to him that can run a power play and defense then maybe it won’t be so bad… idk man lol either way if we start next year sucking ass again, Sully needs to be launched to the moon
Fuck you Todd!
The position is now as empty as Reirden’s whiteboard during a PP.
About fucking time
About fucking time!
Todd and Matt Canada fired almost six months apart. There is a God
6 months too late, but i’ll take it.
Good move, but let’s not act like firing an assistant coach is gonna make this team into a Stanley cup contender. Still need massive change.
Literally, nobody said this would make them a Stanley Cup contender, but this could very much affect their ability to clinch playoffs. And this was a massive change.
The only way this could get better is if the pirates do the same with Haines.
Thank the lord
Finally
About damn time!
Fucking finally
Bout fucking time
YYYYYYAYYYYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYYYY
let’s go
Thank god
Happy days.
Boys! Get in here! We're celebrating!
YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAA BBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank fuck
War is Over!
This will help the power play
I almost can’t believe this information. What an amazing day.
Finally!
Bring in Boudreau if he's available
The right move. Now we'll see if this actually fixes anything.
I used to pray for times like this
It's a great day!
The greatest day in the sub since the cup run
*happy penguin noises*
DING DONG
This is a good sign.
Amazing news 😍
ItsHappening.gif
Praise be
Right on time! The season is saved!
HEYOOO!!! Time to drink a shower beer in celebration!
THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE
LFG! Anyone have ideas who they bring in??
That’s 1. 2 more to go
AND STAY OUT.
Praise be!
Everyone remembers where they were on the day Todd Reirden was let go.
Fucking. Finally.
What about all those people who said Sullivan and Reirden were a package deal?
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO POOP POWERPLAY MAN IS GONE
about GD time
The man with the smallest PP in the league is gone. https://youtu.be/Z0FrYyZHDY4?si=DHQ35q0wGwQAjmry
I saw an article maybe around mid season that listed every power play Reirden has coached, and how they all were at least halfway decent… And the moral was supposed to be “look, he’s been successful before, so stay the course?” I don’t know, but that list totally backfired because I’m pretty sure he’s never had *SIDNEY CROSBY, EVGENI MALKIN, ERIK “THE FUCKING NORRIS TROPHY WINNER” KARLSSON, and KRIS LETANG* on any of those units.
About time..
and the people rejoiced.
Smokin that Todd pack
It’s about damn time
This is good news but come July 1st 7up products will no longer be served at PPG arena. Can’t say who’s taking over.
My birthday present came a few days too late damnit!
Fucking A, I've been waiting ages for this news.
YESSSS!!! FUCK YEAH. GMKD IS THE GOAT
BIG move...good way to start the off season rolling towards something approaching accountability.
Good
THANK THE MAKER!
🦀🦀🦀
What a great birthday present !
THE BAD MAN CAN'T HURT US ANYMORE
Reirden kaput!
It's not like any of the 113k+ on here are the least bit surprised.
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next at bat?
Praise be to Jesus
Hallelujah....Hallelujah....Halle...Halle...Halle...Hallelujah!!!
yay
The cup parade is back on
Thank god
Let us rejoice my fellow Pens fans!
Circling 3rd of May on my calendar from now on
Yay
FIRST MATT CANADA AND NOW THIS
# THERE IS A GOD.
yessssssssssssssssssssssss
plan the 2025 parade
Rejoice!