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Mike Johnston Fired, but GM Jim Rutherford the Root of the Penguins' Problems

On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a move that was increasingly seen as inevitable. The team dismissed head coach Mike Johnston and assistant coach Gary Agnew, as general manager Jim Rutherford tacitly acknowledged he made a mistake behind the bench.

Mike Johnston and Gary Agnew relieved of their coaching duties. Mike Sullivan named new Head Coach of the Penguins. https://t.co/1Y2HMlpCXf

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 12, 2015

Mike Sullivan will now be given a chance to right the ship.

He returned to head coaching this year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, guiding the baby Penguins to an 18-5-0 run and plus-36 goal differential over just 23 games in the minors.