The Pittsburgh Penguins fired head coach Mike Johnston on Saturday. Assistant coach Gary Agnew was also fired.
According to the Associated Press, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford believes that the team has underachieved this season and that was the reason for the firings. Sidney Crosby has just 19 points this season and is on pace to have the worst season of his career. Yahoo Sports notes that the Penguins have the fourth worst offense in the NHL, averaging 2.36 goals per game. The Penguins are ranked 28th in scoring. Mike Sullivan, who was coaching the Penguins American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, has been named as the Penguins new head coach.
"I felt it was time for a coaching change because our team has underachieved," Rutherford said. "Our expectations are much higher with this group of players. I want to thank Mike Johnston and Gary Agnew for their contributions to the Penguins. They are good hockey men, and we wish them all the best."
Johnston was in his second season with the Penguins after being hired in June 2014. Last season he led the Penguins to the playoffs, but they were eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Rangers. He was 58-37-15 with the Penguins, according to NHL.com.
The Penguins are currently 15-10-3 and are fifth in the Metropolitan Division.