<p>For the time being, Mike Sullivan has the confidence of Kyle Dubas. </p>



<p>The Pittsburgh Penguins’ general manager spoke to reporters in a press conference on Monday afternoon, telling the media that he still has a strong belief in his head coach. </p>



<p>“Being with Sullivan every day and seeing his attention to detail on the systems and with the players, I think we’re very fortunate to have Mike,” <a href="https://twitter.com/PensInsideScoop/status/1734268701849866369">said Dubas</a>. “Do I think he’s the right person for this job, right now and far into the future? I absolutely do.</p>



<p>“I’m certain that Sully’s the best person to help us,” <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1734268542072078537?s=46&amp;t=cV9QOP3SCFUcrBufBfPUaA">said Dubas</a>. </p>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kyle Dubas tells reporters in Pittsburgh that he still has strong belief in head coach Mike Sullivan: "I'm certain that Sully's the best person to help us."</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="131"></div>
<p>— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) <a href="https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1734268542072078537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>



<p>It was a strong show of confidence for Sullivan from Dubas, whose Penguins squad is 11-12-3 with 25 points through 26 games, seventh in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division. The Penguins have lost four straight and are 3-4-3 in their last 10 games.</p>



<p>With the offseason acquisition of last season’s Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson, many saw the 2023-24 campaign as a sort of “Last Dance” for a veteran Penguins lineup with Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang both being 36 years old, and Evgeni Malkin being 37.</p>



<p>But despite being one of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/despite-skid-pittsburgh-penguins-top-team-analytically">NHL’s best analytical teams</a>, the results haven’t come, and there’s fear the Penguins will miss the playoffs for a second-straight season.</p>



<p>Some have called for a change behind the bench. While Sullivan did win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins in 2015-16 and 2016-17, Pittsburgh was eliminated in the opening of the playoffs for four consecutive seasons before missing it completely in 2022-23. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="167"></div>



<p>In nine seasons with the Penguins, Sullivan has a 348-199-68 record in 615 games, including a 44-38 record in the playoffs. </p>



<p>The Penguins next game is Tuesday at home against the Arizona Coyotes.</p>



<p>You can watch the full Dubas press conference here: </p>


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