Earlier this month, USA Hockey named Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan as the head coach of America’s 4 Nations Face-Off club in 2025 and the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

Some Pittsburgh hockey fans who have grown frustrated with the Penguins’ underachievement under Sullivan as head coach in recent years rolled their eyes at that news.

Mike Sullivan has been named head coach of Team USA for the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 and the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.

Details → https://t.co/WAWDhWkeX3 pic.twitter.com/kJ5pvJOBbs

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) May 18, 2024

It’s not just because they may be dubious of Team USA’s selection but also because, optically, given that appointment, it may be even harder for Fenway Sports Group to bring itself around to the notion of firing Sullivan if the Pens continue through their six-year malaise of failing to win a playoff series.

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive admits to having that initial reaction as well. However, after expressing that opinion on the air, he has since been told something different.

“I’ve been told by some people who are close to the situation that will not keep them from firing him if the situation merits in Pittsburgh,” Madden said. “I said that they wouldn’t fire him until after the Olympics, that that would buy him another year and a half of safety. But, I’ve been told that is not necessarily true.”

Despite that, Madden still has a hunch that the Penguins are inclined to stick with Sullivan for a while, and he believes the Penguins will come back in 2024-25 relatively unchanged.

More sports

• Analytics offer useful insight into offensive numbers for Pirates' Andrew McCutchen • Linked to Steelers at ‘18 draft and ‘22 free agency, CB Donte Jackson excited to finally join team • Rookie right-handers Jared Jones, Paul Skenes shine in spotlight, drawing attention to Pirates

“I don’t think anything is going to change with this team. Nothing,” Madden insisted. “I think it’s going to be exactly the same as last year with a different guy on staff in place of (assistant coach Todd) Reirden. But I think the power play will be the same. I don’t think anything is going to change.”

Yes, that extends all the way back to between the pipes in goal, despite the fact that Tristan Jarry was replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic late last season. Nedeljkovic is about to become a free agent. Should he sign with another team, it’s Madden’s belief that the Pens will default to giving Tristan Jarry the No. 1 job instead of relying on prospect Joel Blomqvist.

“I think that Mike Sullivan will always play a veteran,” Madden said. “Last year, he benched Jarry for Nedeljkovic. But (in this case) you’d be talking about an NHL rookie potentially backing up Jarry if they don’t go out and get a veteran backup.

Also, on the hockey front in the podcast, we get into Jake Guentzel’s looming free agency, Vince Trocheck’s success in New York, playoff goon-ism and Sheldon Keefe’s hiring in New Jersey.

Plus, we talk about Justin Fields’ future with the Steelers, the Pirates pitching staff and Barry Bonds’ election to the Pirates Hall of Fame.

Listen: Tim Benz and Mark Madden discuss the Pirates, the future of Mike Sullivan and the Penguins’ goaltending situation, and Steelers analysis during OTAs.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---