Fenway Sports Group non-committal on future of Penguins coach Mike Sullivan

Mike Sullivan’s job as Penguins coach is safe — for now.

After the team’s ownership group Friday announced a major shakeup at the top of its front office, a Fenway Sports Group executive was complimentary of Sullivan’s work but said his fate would be left with the team’s next director of hockey operations

“The answer to that is we think Mike Sullivan is one of the best coaches in the NHL,” said Dave Beeston, co-head of Fenway Sports Management (FSG’s sports marketing company) and Penguins alternate governor. “Once we bring in a new hockey operations leader, he or she will be responsible for evaluating the coaching staff. We think Mike is terrific, and we think his whole staff is terrific.”

Sullivan is the Penguins’ all-time leader in victories (337) and guided the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17. He signed a contract extension in August 2022 that runs through 2026-27.

He has served as the team’s coach since December 2015, when he was promoted to take over the Penguins midseason following the dismissal of Mike Johnston by then-general manager Jim Rutherford.

Sullivan also was chosen by FSG to aid in the day-to-day running of the club on an interim basis, along with current director of hockey operations Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton general manager/manager of hockey operations Erik Heasley and hockey operations analyst Andy Saucier.

The franchise announced Friday morning that president of hockey operations Brian Burke, general manager Ron Hextall and assistant general manager Chris Pryor were fired.

In meeting with the media at the team’s facility in Cranberry, Beeston and president of business operations Kevin Acklin outlined FSG’s commitment to bring a Stanley Cup-caliber product back to Pittsburgh.

The Penguins missed the playoffs this season for the first time 16 years.

Beeston and Acklin did not offer a timeframe for replacing Burke, Hextall and Pryor.

“As soon as possible without rushing,” Beeston said. “We want to make sure we get the right person in place and run a thorough process.”

Fenway Sports Group acquired controlling interest in the Penguins from Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle in November 2021.

Since then, Lemieux — who still owns a minor stake in the franchise — has kept a low profile with regards to the management of the team.

But Beeston and Acklin said they would like to see that change, if Lemieux desires.

“I think he was very much entitled to a year where maybe he wasn’t around as much,” Beeston said. “He is, of course, not only welcomed but wanted back whenever he wants. I expect that would be the case moving forward. Working with him (and) getting to know him through this process was such a special gift for me. He is incredible.”

Added Acklin: “I talked to Mario this morning after the news broke. He obviously talked to ownership as well. … To Dave’s point, he earned some time on the golf course when he sold most of his interest. He still cares about the team. Obviously, we’d love to see more of him at the arena. That’s something we’ll keep engaging with over time.”