In a dramatic shake-up that could reshape their future behind the bench, the New York Rangers are reportedly on the verge of hiring two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Sullivan as their next head coach — and they might not stop there.
According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the Rangers are in “advanced talks” with Sullivan to become the 38th head coach in franchise history. The potential hire would bring one of the NHL’s most accomplished coaches to New York at a pivotal moment in the team’s quest for a championship. With Sullivan recently parting ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins after a decade-long tenure, he immediately became the frontrunner for the Rangers’ vacancy.
The move is far from impulsive. General Manager Chris Drury has long admired Sullivan’s coaching acumen, even attempting to lure him to Madison Square Garden in 2021 and again in 2023. At the time, Sullivan remained committed to Pittsburgh. But now, with his exit official, the stars have aligned for Drury to finally land his top target.
Sullivan’s pedigree is undeniable. He led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 and amassed a franchise-best 409 wins during his time in Pittsburgh. His overall NHL coaching win total of 479 ranks 32nd all-time — a testament to both his longevity and success.
What’s drawing almost as much buzz as the Sullivan hire, however, is the potential for a reunion behind the bench: the Rangers are reportedly considering adding John Tortorella — currently head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers — as an assistant. Sullivan served under Tortorella with the Rangers from 2009 to 2013, and the idea of rekindling that dynamic in reverse roles has intrigued fans and insiders alike. While it would be highly unusual for a sitting NHL head coach to take a step back into an assistant role elsewhere, the possibility has stirred conversation.
Kaplan reports that Sullivan’s contract with the Rangers is expected to be among the richest in league history, potentially surpassing the $5 million annual salary he earned in Pittsburgh. That would underscore how committed the Rangers are to establishing long-term stability and championship-caliber leadership.
Multiple NHL insiders, including Elliotte Friedman and Frank Seravalli, have pointed to the Rangers as the clear frontrunner for Sullivan’s services. “Until someone beats the Rangers out for Sullivan’s services, that’s who I’m picking,” Friedman said.
Should the deal go through — and possibly bring Tortorella back in a surprising new role — the Rangers would be sending a loud message: they are all-in on winning now.
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