Malkin (37 points; 11 goals, 26 assists) and Kessel (36 points; 14 goals, 22 assists) are second and third behind Sidney Crosby (38 points; 16 goals, 22 assists) for the Penguins lead in scoring. Malkin has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past 11 games. Kessel has eight points (four goals, four assists) in his past 11.
Dupuis, who retired in 2015 because of issues with blood clots and is doing some work for TVA Sports in Canada this season, visited the Penguins in Pittsburgh on Saturday. When asked during TVA Sports telecast of the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday about Malkin's and Kessel's recent play, Dupuis said in French, "I'm not sure the message passes well between both players and the man behind the bench."
Sullivan was displeased with Dupuis' comments.
"Yeah, I'm surprised," Sullivan said. "I'm disappointed, quite honestly. I think it's very irresponsible on his part. He should know better, having been in a dressing room and understanding what we go through on a daily basis. It was a pretty irresponsible comment on his part."
Dupuis clarified his comments in speaking to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette later Wednesday.
"All I said is the message has to go through better between these guys if they want to win the Cup, and I'm picking them to win it," Dupuis told the newspaper. "I love these guys. I want them to be happy. There's nothing deeper than that."
Dupuis also said he saw Kessel and Malkin after the game and "they were fine," with no signs of unhappiness.
"It's nothing that I heard in the locker room or saw," Dupuis said. "But they need to get along if they want to win."
It's not the first time there has been talk of issues between Sullivan and Kessel. After Washington ended Pittsburgh's quest to win the Stanley Cup in three consecutive seasons in the Eastern Conference Second Round last season, there were reports that Kessel might be traded because of a strained relationship with his coach.
Sullivan told the Post-Gazette on June 22 that he was confident he and Kessel could work through any disagreements between them.
"The way I look at it, coaches go through trials and tribulations with their team and their players," Sullivan told the newspaper. "It's hard to win in this league, and it's not always warm and fuzzy. It's a game that's not for the faint of heart, but when you get on the other side of conflict, your relationships get stronger. I feel like that's what's happened with our coaching staff and this Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. Phil's part of that group."
