Pens Coach Mike Sullivan On Goalies: 'Performance' Will Dictate Playing Time
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan is gearing up for the World Cup of Hockey as a member of Team USA's coaching staff, but he took some time out of his schedule to join The Starkey and Mueller show to talk about both the World Cup and the Pens.
Sullivan was asked about his goaltending situation with the qualifier that, if he hasn't already been asked, this will probably be the first time of hundreds that he'll have to answer it.
"I'm sure you are the first of hundreds that are going to ask that question," Sullivan said, laughing. "We feel very fortunate that we have the quality of goaltenders that we have here in Pittsburgh. That's a nice problem to have."
Sullivan added that, in his experience, this type of issue can resolve itself.
"My experience being around the game is that these types of situations have a way of unfolding and solving themselves through the process of playing hockey. I think both of these guys are going to get playing time. We know they're both going to help our team have success," Sullivan said.
That being said, Sullivan said it will come down to one thing to decide who gets the majority of the playing time.
"Inevitably, performance is always going to be the dictator. It always is in pro sports and both guys are well aware of that," said the coach.
Sullivan went on to talk about how he thought both Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray dealt with the situation last year.
"They did an unbelievable job handling the circumstance throughout the course of the playoff last year. They're two mature guys and they're good people, and I know they'll handle it the right way again," he said.
Click the link below to hear more from Sullivan as he also talked about what he did during his day with the Stanley Cup, why he'd always take a short off-season like the one his team is dealing with and what he thinks of the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
