The New York Rangers fired head coach Peter Laviolette after a disappointing 39-36-7 season, one year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury has already gone through three coaches since taking over in 2021.
Although open to hiring a first-time NHL coach, Drury is believed to prefer a proven winner following his contract extension with the franchise.
In that scenario, the Rangers are widely expected to target former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach and two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Sullivan as their next head coach.
Elliotte Friedman said during Monday's "32 Thoughts" podcast that he would be “shocked” if the two-time champion doesn’t land behind the Rangers’ bench.
“They have to get this right,” Friedman said. “I will be shocked if he isn’t their guy.”
“What is going to happen with Sullivan? I just don’t know if you’re the New York Rangers, you are allowing anyone to snatch Sullivan from your clutches,” Friedman said.
One of the loudest voices predicting a Sullivan-Rangers pairing is former defenseman P.K. Subban.
Speaking on ESPN, Subban listed New York as Sullivan’s best destination, ranking them ahead of the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken.
“Number one (destination), we’re taking to the Tri-State: The New York Rangers,” Subban said. “To me, this is a Stanley Cup team. They’re gonna tweak this lineup. Chris Drury will tweak this lineup this summer. He will get them back to where they need to be.
“With the right coach, this team could win the Stanley Cup.“
Former New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette instructs his team at Madison Square Garden.
Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Penguins dismissed Sullivan on Monday after nearly a decade in charge.
Despite becoming the winningest coach in franchise history and winning Cups in 2016 and 2017, failing to reach the playoffs in three consecutive seasons sealed his fate.
Still, his stock remains high, and multiple franchises with a head-coach opening are expected to reach out.
“There are other teams that will call,” Friedman said. “I just don’t see any way the Rangers can allow themselves to be beaten to Mike Sullivan.”
