We all know the narrative.
Mike Sullivan hates kids. Hates ‘em. Absolutely, positively won’t play ’em. If they do somehow slip through and get pressed into service, they’d better be letter perfect.
P-E-R-F-E-C-T.
If they happen to make a rookie mistake or take a penalty?
Stapled to the bench. Or worse, ticketed for the next Greyhound to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
I admit, I’ve contributed to that narrative. There’ve been numerous times when I’ve taken the two-time Cup winning coach to task for not being patient enough with kids. Criticism that, at least to an extent, appears valid.