This week, Pittsburgh Hockey Now wrote glowingly about Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and his impact on the NHL. We didn’t get a chance to chat with former Penguins center and current development coach Matt Cullen prior to publishing, but we had a nice chat with one of the recent Penguins captains in the Stanley Cup.
Colin readily agreed with Sullivan’s impact and ramifications across the NHL.
For Penguins fans who remember tales of the Cullen Boys running around in the locker room, sometimes playing tape hockey, and sometimes pulling mischievous pranks, these little boys are now 16, 14, and 12 weeks old.
Time is running.
In what regard does a lot of Sullivan players hold? Colin compared him to one of the best coaches of all time.
“He has a good understanding of the technical side of the game. As a player, you can feel it right away,” Colin said. “This guy has a strong grip. He loves the game. He is always studying and always up to date.”
“(Sullivan) feels trends or is a step forward. He is constantly evolving.”
The 2016 Penguins Stanley Cup team was a unique pool of talent. She was faster than everyone else by a huge amount, but that was just one ingredient. There was undefined rage and desire in that group that I hadn’t seen before or since. And the more they won, the bigger that chip was on their shoulders.
But that speed unleashed by Sullivan changed the game.
“I think so. We played faster. With a higher pace. That was the biggest factor,” Colin said.
Last week, Dave Molinari suggested it Matt CollinKnown as “Dad” during his time with the penguins, he would be worthy of the penguins’ attention should they need to replace the assistant trainer. I spoke with Colin when he was in the car on the way back from a boys’ practice. He seems very happy training the kids and being a dad who can work with developing penguins on a limited basis.
The Penguins of Pittsburgh UFAs Unsigned
In the NHL trade deadline, Zack Aston Race It was part of the Penguins deal for Rickard Rakell. Raquel came. Dominic Simon and Aston Reese (and a second-round pick of Kaley Klang) were knocked out.
Sources familiar with the situation tell PHN that Aston Race has a 2-3-team interest but is deciding or waiting for the right position. Aston-Reese wants to be the third player the Penguins have signed, not the defensive specialist he was confined to by the end of his Penguins career.
He had some goals with the Anaheim Ducks after the NHL trade deadline. Sources haven’t identified interested teams, but he’ll have options, even if he’s waiting to see if there’s an ideal situation. Pittsburgh penguins are not thought to be an option.
Brian Boyle It was a surprise. The 37-year-old center made his way from a training camp PTO to an indispensable member of the Penguins PK and a main target among the fourth-tier players. He had 12 goals.
Sources have reported “no updates” to Boyle since we spoke last month. Boyle is believed to have more than a passing interest in returning to the penguins, but nowhere in the lodge. Will Boyle accept a contract knowing he might be sent to the AHL due to cap and existing restrictions? This is unknown, but if he hopes to return to penguins, it will be necessary trade, or the desire to cut down a smaller set of legs, such as Ryan Poehling.
Or maybe sign Boyle after camp? It’s no surprise that a team takes a good look at what they have and then decides that a player like Boyle is better.
Evan Rodriguez Still a UFA class surprise. The Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks kicked the tires, if not full discussions. However, Rodriguez remained unsigned. The former Penguins striker scored 19 goals last season. It was integral to the Penguins’ first-half success when they played without Evgeny Malkin and a simultaneous run without Sidney Crosby.
It seems odd that he hasn’t signed yet, but he also seems to be waiting for a better situation.
