Penguins Wrap: Crosby Takes a Pass; Assessing Mike Sullivan

Nearly a month into their offseason, the Pittsburgh Penguins still have lots of questions, and very few answers.

While there’s no real indication they’ll be parting ways with head coach Mike Sullivan, they still haven’t replaced associate coach Todd Reirden, who was fired eight days ago. Most of the Penguins’ pending free agents, unrestricted or otherwise, remain unsigned (which will be a permanent condition for some of them) and Kyle Dubas, the president of hockey operations and general manager who will oversee their personnel moves before next season, doesn’t figure to make a trade for a while.

Still, it’s never entirely quiet around this team. Here’s a look at how the past seven days went for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

Saturday

Here’s a Penguins video Q&A.

Sunday

Here’s why the Penguins should not hire Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe, assuming he loses his job with the Maple Leafs.

Sidney Crosby did what was best for himself and for the Penguins by declining to play for Canada in the world championships.

Monday

Who are the Penguins’ four biggest trade chips, and what are the odds of any of them being dealt?

Speculation about Mike Sullivan’s future as coach of the Penguins won’t go away.

Valtteri Puustinen and Jesse Puljujarvi will play for Finland in the world championships.

Tuesday

Jake Guentzel makes it clear that he’s very happy to be in Carolina.

The Penguins remain 14th in the NHL draft lottery, so their first-round pick in the June draft will go to San Jose as part of the Erik Karlsson trade.

Wednesday

The Penguins should re-sign free-agent-to-be Alex Nedeljkovic before the market drives up his price.

Alex Nedeljkovic joins Team USA for the world championships.

You asked, he answered. A Penguins video chat.

Thursday

There are good reasons for Mike Sullivan’s performance as coach of the Penguins to be scrutinized.

Kyle Dubas, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ president of hockey operations and general manager, has a lot of things he should do before next season. At least four that he should not too, as well.

Friday

There are many issues to be addressed and hurdles to be cleared if the Penguins are to qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Free-agent-to-be Valtteri Puustinen agrees to a two-year contract.