It was just a matter of time. And on Saturday morning, time ran out on Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston as the team announced through a team-issued release that Johnston and assistant coach Gary Agnew were relieved of their duties effective immediately.
“I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved,” general manager Jim Rutherford said in the release. “Our expectations are much higher with this group of players.”
Taking over for Johnston will be Mike Sullivan, who was in his first year coaching the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League. The Baby Penguins are in first place in their division with a 18-5 record.
“Mike Sullivan has been a head coach and an assistant coach in the NHL and we’ve been very fortunate to have him with our AHL club this season,” Rutherford said in the release. “He’s done an outstanding job in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and he’s ready to step in.”
Sullivan, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, will take over the 15-10-3 Penguins — 5th in the Metropolitan Division — on Monday against the Washington Capitals. He will be joined by bench coaches Rich Tocchet and Jacques Martin.
“I want to thank Mike Johnston and Gary Agnew for their contributions to the Penguins,” Rutherford said in the release. “They are good hockey men, and we wish them all the best.”
