Mike Sullivan
FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2014, file photo, hockey pucks bounce off the wall during the warm up session before the USA vs Finland men's bronze medal ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. National Hockey League players are set to return to the Olympics in Beijing this winter after reaching an agreement with international officials. The league, NHLPA, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation struck a deal Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, that will put the best players in the world back on sports' biggest stage in February after skipping the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
'A lot of work to come' after NHL reaches Olympic agreement

By Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow Sep. 04, 2021 10:13 AM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2014, file photo, NHL Players' Association Executive Director Don Fehr, left, International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel, center, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, right, answer questions during a news conference at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. National Hockey League players are set to return to the Olympics in Beijing this winter after reaching an agreement with international officials. The league, NHLPA, International Olympic Committee and International Ice Hockey Federation struck a deal Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, that will put the best players in the world back on sports' biggest stage in February after skipping the 2018 Winter Games in South Korea. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NHL reaches agreement to send players to Olympics in Beijing

By Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow Sep. 03, 2021 11:20 AM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan disagrees with a penalty called during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, in this Saturday, April 24, 2021, file photo. Mike Sullivan has been named U.S. men’s hockey coach for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Sullivan will be behind the bench if the NHL participates. No deal is currently in place. Sullivan coached the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
New Jersey Devils at Pittsburgh Penguins 4/24/2021

Jul. 28, 2021 11:44 AM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan disagrees with a penalty called during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, in this Saturday, April 24, 2021, file photo. Mike Sullivan has been named U.S. men’s hockey coach for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Sullivan will be behind the bench if the NHL participates. No deal is currently in place. Sullivan coached the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Mike Sullivan named US men's hockey coach for 2022 Olympics

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 28, 2021 10:56 AM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his first-period goal with Bryan Rust (17) during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in Pittsburgh, in this Thursday, April 22, 2021, file photo. In a way, the NHL's COVID-19 protocols may have been a blessing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The rules forced the Penguins to basically hole up in the hotel while on the road, offering them time to build chemistry, one of the main reasons they were able to win their first division title in seven years. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Chemistry 101: COVID-19 protocols helped Pens bond quickly

By Will Graves May. 12, 2021 05:03 PM EDT

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, celebrates after left wing Max Pacioretty, left, scored against the Minnesota Wild during overtime of an NHL hockey game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No Fun NHL? Restrictions help players appreciate hockey more

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 10:52 AM EST

North Alabama infielder Drew Hudson (2) catches a throw during an NCAA college baseball game against Stetson on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, in Deland, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Latest: NHL's COVID-19 list at season-low three players

By The Associated Press Mar. 02, 2021 12:03 PM EST

Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Sanheim (6) and New York Rangers' Brendan Lemieux (48) collide during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Four separate leagues? Divisional styles develop around NHL

By Stephen Whyno Feb. 25, 2021 03:27 PM EST

Pittsburgh Penguins' Pierre-Olivier Joseph celebrates the game winning goal by Sidney Crosby against New York Rangers' Alexandar Georgiev (40) in an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021, in New York. (Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via AP)
Penguins trying to take advantage of unexpected layoff

Feb. 02, 2021 05:02 PM EST

The Chicago Blackhawks begin their 2021 training camp during an NHL hockey practice Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
NHL training camps open with sense of urgency

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 04, 2021 05:47 PM EST

FILE - In this March 7, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) controls the puck as Washington Capitals' Dmitry Orlov (9) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh. Penguins star Malkin says he is ready for the playoffs. The 33-year-old Russian says the long “pause” to the NHL season created by COVID-19 gave him a renewed appreciation for playing the game. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
'I always think about Cups' - Rejuvenated Malkin leads Pens

By Will Graves Jul. 20, 2020 05:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2020, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray plays against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Detroit. Murray says he's focusing on the NHL's return to play, not the potential economic ramifications on the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Mellow Matt; Penguins G Murray eyeing present, not future

By Will Graves Jun. 23, 2020 05:43 PM EDT