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Originally Posted by GioforPM
Sullivan was also an assistant on th Canucks. Just sayin'.
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Yes, but Sullivan didn't go straight to a NHL head coaching job after that. He went to coach the Pens AHL team and found success and was promoted to Pittsburgh mid-season when Rutherford, in his wisdom and unlike Treliving, recognized that Johnston wasn't cutting it.
Sullivan was also part of some good Rangers teams prior to his one season in Vancouver. That one year in Vancouver was a bit of a blip as he had success before and after that gig.
I don't really think Sullivan is all that great. His resume isn't all that, but with Crosby and Malkin, you just need an average coach. I mean, Dan Bylsma won a Stanley Cup too with Crosby and Malkin. Johnston was just completely inept which is why the Pens struggled so much. Coaching matters. A decent coach can win with a good roster, see Pittsburgh with Sullivan and Bylsma. A bad coach can make a good roster bad(see Pittsburgh under Johnston and Calgary under GG). A great coach can make a bad roster great (see Gallant in Vegas and Sutter with the 04 Flames).