The New York Rangers have employed Mike Sullivan as coach, days after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to half methods.
Common supervisor Chris Drury introduced the transfer Friday, bringing within the group’s prime candidate who was out of labor for lower than a full enterprise week.
“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury stated. “Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. … As we began this process and Mike became an available option for us to speak with, it was immediately clear that he was the best coach to lead our team.”
Sullivan replaces Peter Laviolette, who was fired after the Rangers missed the playoffs following a visit to the Japanese Convention remaining final 12 months. Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup again to again in 2016 and ’17, is tasked with making an attempt to show the Rangers again into a direct contender.
Drury made the transfer to get Sullivan not lengthy after receiving a multiyear contract extension of his personal.
The thirty eighth Head Coach in #NYR historical past.
Welcome (again) to Broadway, Sully! pic.twitter.com/dUhWCBPm4A
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) Might 2, 2025
“Mike’s track record and success in the NHL and internationally speaks for itself, and I look forward to seeing him behind the Rangers bench,” owner James Dolan said. “I would like to welcome Mike back to the Rangers organization.”
Sullivan, 57, spent 4 seasons as a Rangers assistant below then-coach and nonetheless shut pal and confidant John Tortorella from 2009-13. He coached Drury throughout that point, and the 2 have labored collectively professionally via USA Hockey, most just lately on the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, and are a part of the U.S. contingent for the 2026 Milan Olympics.
Tortorella — who was fired as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in late March — may very well be a candidate to affix Sullivan on his employees, as he did on the 4 Nations, however no assistant hires had been confirmed Friday and the group is anticipated to debate these openings within the coming days.
