Madden Monday: Not buying into New York rumors about Mike Sullivan going to Rangers

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks sent a tweet last week that kicked up speculation about the Pittsburgh Penguins’ general manager search.

And about the organization’s current head coach.

Brooks says he has heard some scuttlebutt that the Penguins may try to hire Kyle Dubas as GM if he and the Maple Leafs part ways now that his contract is expiring in Toronto.

According to Brooks’ sourcing, Dubas may go to Pittsburgh and dump Sullivan as head coach in favor of his coach in Toronto — Sheldon Keefe. Then Brooks thinks Sullivan will take over as the New York Rangers head coach, replacing Gerard Gallant.

So I will pass along this scenario that was just presented to me.

Dubas leaves Toronto to become Pittsburgh GM, brings Keefe with him, as such fires Mike Sullivan, who in turn becomes free (assuming permission) to become NYR HC.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) May 9, 2023

Keep in mind Sullivan and Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury are both Boston University products. And, as the Post’s Mollie Walker points out, they were U.S. teammates in the 1997 World Championships. Drury also played under Sullivan, who was an assistant with the Rangers, for his last two NHL seasons as a player in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

On Saturday, Brooks doubled down on his speculation. While admitting it’s a long shot, Brooks said he “received an unsolicited text from a player late Thursday who said the rumor ‘was getting pretty loud.’”

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, I asked Mark Madden of TribLIVE and 105.9 The X if he buys into the theory at all.

“No. I don’t,” Madden said. “I think that’s what the Rangers would like to see happen. I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

If the Rangers really want Sullivan, Madden has a different idea.

“Let the Rangers trade for Sullivan,” Madden advanced. “I’m kind of ad-libbing here. But I’d want more than (draft) picks. … Does anyone think that Sullivan is going to be the coach of the Penguins in two years? If that’s (not) the case, then talk to the Rangers.”

More sports

• First Call: Is Kyle Dubas now in play for Penguins' GM search? Steelers allegedly sign rookie tryout RB
• Ben Cherington shows patience while watching catchers Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis develop defensively
• Mark Madden's Hot Take: Having all 3 Watt brothers makes sense for Steelers, at right price

Madden also believes that Sullivan may soon want a change, even if — right now — the Penguins aren’t ready for one at the head coaching position.

“I think Mike Sullivan thinks that he can fix this. I wonder what his attitude will be when he figures out that he can’t,” Madden continued.

But back to Dubas, there are a number of reasons why the Penguins GM job is less than desirable. It’s an aging roster. There are many no-movement clauses. And Sullivan is a coach with a lot of power in the organization.

That doesn’t seem like a very alluring position for Dubas or anyone else to take. However, Madden believes that the last point may be rendered moot.

“If Dubas is the GM, there is no way Sullivan will have more power. Because if that were to be the case, then Dubas would not take the job,” Madden added.

Also, in this week’s “Madden Monday,” we discuss the Alex Pietrangelo suspension, the Steelers schedule and Mitch Keller’s dominance while many other Pirates fade.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden talk Penguins, Steelers and Pirates