Mike Sullivan was selected U.S. coach for the 2026 Milan Olympics.

Milan marks the return of NHL players to the Olympics after missing the past two Games.

"We're excited to have Mike guiding our teams," U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. "He is one of the very best coaches in the game and his background, including with international hockey, is well-suited to help put our team in the best position to win."

Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Kris Letang and John Ludvig and forward Matt Nieto are recovering from recent surgeries, the team announced Wednesday.

Letang, 37, faces an eight-week recovery timetable following an operation last Friday to repair a fractured finger on his left hand.

The Pittsburgh Penguins fired assistant coach Todd Reirden on Friday, just over two weeks after the organization missed out on the playoffs for a second straight season.

Reirden was in charge of Pittsburgh's power play.

With one season left on his 12-year, $104.4 million contract, Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby said he plans to approach the team in the offseason about a contract extension.

Crosby, who turns 37 on Aug. 7, has played 19 seasons with the Penguins after they selected him No. 1 overall in the 2005 draft.

"Obviously, I'm going to talk to [general manager Kyle Dubas] and have a conversation with him," the two-time Hart Trophy winner and eight-time All-Star told reporters Thursday. "We'll see. I think it's just something that I'll have conversations with him about."

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter is retiring after 19 seasons in the league, and his send-off Wednesday night was something to remember.

He had a goal in a 5-4 loss to the Islanders in New York, and the home team even invited him to take a victory lap.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby was once again named the NHL's most complete player in the annual NHLPA poll released Wednesday.

Crosby earned 38.4% of the votes for "most complete player" ahead of Aleksander Barkov of the Florida Panthers (14.6%). In the five seasons the NHLPA has voted on this category, Crosby has won it every year.

The Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to acquire Jake Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Guentzel, 29, is considered the top forward available ahead of Friday's NHL trade deadline. He has 52 points in 50 games this season, including 22 goals. 

Guentzel is an unrestricted free agent after the season and carries a $6 million salary cap hit. 

There were jokes. And laughter. And catharsis.

Just no tears. At least none from Jaromir Jagr. Maybe because they were unnecessary when the Pittsburgh Penguins retired his iconic No. 68 on Sunday.

The look on Jagr's face, the subtle catch in his voice, the smile that remains boyish even at 52 said it all.

Connor Bedard is returning to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources told ESPN.

The return is earlier than expected for Bedard, who fractured his jaw six weeks ago. The Blackhawks had initially penciled in next week for a return. The game is at the United Center in Chicago.

Unrestricted free agent forward Jesse Puljujarvi signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins that spans through the 2024-25 season, the team announced Sunday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $800,000 for Puljujarvi, who signed a professional tryout with Pittsburgh on Dec. 10 after undergoing double hip surgery in the offseason.