On Sports: Mike Sullivan introduced as Rangers coach, Derek Shelton's culpability in Pirates' woes discussed

In Friday’s “On Sports,” ex-Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was formally introduced as the 38th coach of the New York Rangers.

National pundits discussed fired Pirates manager Derek Shelton’s role in the club’s performance this season as well as since he was hired in late 2019.

Finally, former Duquesne star Megan McConnell made her WNBA preseason debut with the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday.

Sully introduced in NYC

After the Penguins and Sullivan parted ways April 28, unsurprisingly, it did not take long for the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach to find a new home, as the Rangers brought him aboard to lead their outfit just days later May 2.

Sullivan met with New York media Thursday morning for the first time since accepting the coaching position, which is reported to feature the highest annual average value for a head coach in NHL history.

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury wasted little time in outlining why he was comfortable shelling out that kind of cash to Sullivan, who takes charge of a club which failed to qualify for the postseason in 2024-25 after reaching the Eastern Conference final the year prior.

“I truly believe Mike is a premier coach in the National Hockey League,” Drury said, introducing Sullivan. “The second Mike was available, we quickly and aggressively pursued him. There’s a lot of work to be done and I’m very excited to be partnering with Mike.”

For Penguins fans hoping Thursday’s press conference would reveal any sort of context surrounding the particulars of Sullivan’s departure from Pittsburgh, the 57-year-old did not oblige, declining to offer any details about the exit.

Mike Sullivan's impression of the Rangers from his vantage point in Pittsburgh:

"They've been knocking on the door to the Stanley Cup for a number of years now. Every time we've played against this group of players, they've been fierce battles." pic.twitter.com/Zcyiy6uYTv

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 8, 2025

Sullivan was complimentary of the players he will now oversee, while laying out expectations.

“I think they’re a really talented group,” Sullivan said. “I think they’ve been knocking on the door to the Stanley Cup for a number of years now. Every time we’ve played against this group of players, they’ve been fierce battles. … I look forward to the opportunity to get to know some of these guys on a more personal level. I look forward to the opportunity to work with them both on the ice and off the ice to try to become the most competitive team that we can become and ultimately, challenge for a Stanley Cup.

“My familiarity with the roster and the core group of players who have played here over the last number of years, having been on an opposing team’s bench and playing against the Rangers inside the (Metropolitan) Division for all these years, I’ve grown a ton of respect for the players that are in that are in that room and the talent that they have. The opportunity to work with a group like that certainly excites me.”

Reactions to Shelty’s firing

No shortage of reactions could be found on social media in the aftermath of the Pirates firing manager Derek Shelton Thursday afternoon after a 12-26 start to the 2025 campaign.

The midseason firing ends Shelton’s five-plus seasons at the helm of the Pirates, who went 306-440 under his leadership dating back to 2020.

Bench coach Don Kelly now steps into the manager’s shoes and will debut Friday at home against the Atlanta Braves as the Pirates try to snap a seven-game skid.

.@MLBNow reacts to news that the Pirates have relieved Derek Shelton of his duties as manager. pic.twitter.com/QELGIJQ1l7

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 8, 2025

Pittsburgh fans in particular appeared to largely celebrate Shelton’s departure, while also extending the blame for the Pirates’ current situation to general manager Ben Cherington, president Travis Williams and chairman Bob Nutting.

Those tuning into the Pirates every night may be more inclined to blame Shelton for sloppy defense at times, as well as questionable tactical decisions on his part regarding lineups and bullpen deployment.

But MLB Now, reacting to the firing, was defensive of Shelton looking at the big picture, suggesting that the Pirates’ woes are out of his control.

“The roster that he’s had for the last five years is just unwinnable,” panalist Yonder Alonso said.

“Derek Shelton’s in a no-win situaton there, I really believe it. At the end of the day, the organization has got to be better,” added Sean Casey.

McConnell makes WBNA debut

Former Duquesne and Chartiers Valley guard Megan McConnell, who recently wrapped her collegiate career with the Dukes as their second all-time leading scorer (1,795 points), earned a training camp invite from the WBNA’s Phoenix Mercury on draft night April 14.

McConnell, Duquesne’s all-time assists (660) and steals (370) leader, made her preseason WNBA debut Tuesday, playing 9 minutes, 38 seconds.

She hit her one shot from the floor, a 3-pointer, while recording two steals, an assist and a pair of turnovers.

Meg’s first WNBA action!

Highlights from @megg_mcconnell4’s preseason debut ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/PRFHIxfTsG

— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) May 7, 2025