In December 2015, Mike Sullivan walked into the locker room in Pittsburgh to address a struggling Penguins team for the first time since he replaced Mike Johnston as head coach.
The club had gone 15-10-3 to start the 2014-15 season, which was six years removed from its last Stanley Cup and unfolding on the heels of an embarrassing five-game, first-round exit to none other than the New York Rangers the campaign prior.
Holdovers from the 2009 championship team in that room wanted to build a dynasty. The closest the Penguins had come to another title was the 2013 conference final, when they were swept by the Bruins in four games. They had lost three seven-game series over the years and were looking to restore their championship pedigree.
Sullivan, who was promoted from his head coaching post with the team’s minor league affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., came into that room with conviction from his first day.
