Mike Sullivan: We all have a responsibility to do our part

PITTSBURGH — He’s reading, learning how to play pickle ball, and reflecting to become a better coach, while preparing for what’s next. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan met with the media via WebEx on Tuesday, to talk about life without hockey during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

First and foremost, Sullivan wanted to share his appreciation for the people who continue to do life-saving work during the crisis.

“I’d also like to take this time to thank the medical teams out there, the doctors and nurses, the first responders, the law enforcement and fire department, the people who are on the front lines that are helping to fight this battle and helping everyone," he said. "You guys are our real heroes, and we appreciate what you guys are doing at this particular time.”

In terms of what Sullivan is doing to keep the Penguins ready, he recognizes all of the challenges, but is steadfast in Sullivan fashion about his team’s preparations.

“So in this circumstance we’re in somewhat unchartered waters, but having said that I think our focus doesn’t change," he said. “Our approach doesn’t change. We preach that to our players about controlling the controllables, and making sure that we’re doing everything within our power to keep ourselves ready and search for that, or have that appetite to create that competitive advantage for us as individuals and a group. That’s what we will continue to do.”

Sullivan is in constant communication with GM Jim Rutherford, his coaching staff, and the players, including Sidney Crosby. Sullivan highlighted Crosby as the standard bearer a few times while talking about how the captain is taking his leadership to a new level during this crisis.

“He’s leading through his own example. He’s talking to his teammates all the time. I have conversations with Sid a couple of times a week," he said. "We stay in constant contact and communicate so we can help one another through this process, and he sets the standard for us with his work ethic and his example and just staying ready and it’s no different in this circumstance as well. I know how hard he’s working to keep himself ready as best he can, and he’s talking to his teammates on a consistent basis to make sure our team’s ready so he’s the standard bearer for our group.”

Of course, Sullivan is preparing for the next step, if hockey is able to return.

“What I will say is every team is in the same circumstance. We’re all going to have the same time frame trying to prepare our teams to compete given the window of time that the league is going to allow for some sort of a mini training camp,” he said. “I would imagine depending how long this goes, it would be somewhere in the time frame of two weeks I would think to give guys an opportunity to get back skating again, to get back involved in physical play and body contact and things that are required to play at the intensity level that is demanded of you in the NHL.”

As far as his free time, he’s spending a lot of it reading, which he loves, because he believes that will help make him a better coach. And he’s taking time to spend with family.

“We’re doing as much to self-quarantine and self-isolate but also enjoying the time we have together as well," he said. "If there’s any silver lining in this, sometimes you take for granted your respective families, and when you have an opportunity like we’ve had over the past couple of weeks 24 hours a day, I’ve grown in appreciation for my family.”

The media was able to submit questions ahead of time, and there was one light-hearted question for Sullivan, based on how the season has gone: Who will be starting in net the night the Penguins return?

Sullivan, in deadpan answered, “Everyone on the call knows what my answer is. The chances are I probably have made the decision. You’ll all be notified as you are on a game day.”

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