It’s been nearly two weeks since the New York Rangers fired head coach Peter Laviolette.
In that time, the team has been linked to an impressive list of potential replacements including Joel Quenneville, Rich Tocchet, and John Tortorella, but there appears to be one name that is gaining recent momentum.
According to USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, the Rangers are nearing a deal to replace Laviolette, who led the team to a 94-59-11 record and an Eastern Conference Final appearance in two seasons, with a prominent two-time Stanley Cup winner.
“The #NYR haven’t confirmed or announced anything officially yet, but it sounds like things are getting close and very much trending toward Mike Sullivan becoming the 38th head coach in franchise history,” Mercogliano wrote.
ESPN's Emily Kaplan also reported that Sullivan is expected to be one of the highest-paid head coaches in NHL history.
Sullivan is considered the hottest coaching free-agent on the market after parting ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins just days ago.
The 57-year-old spent the last 10 seasons with the Penguins, leading them to a 409-255-89 record (54.3 win percentage, 62.1 points percentage), seven playoff appearances and back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Prior to Pittsburgh, Sullivan spent two seasons as the head coach of the Boston Bruins with one playoff appearance.
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan address the media after the game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Sullivan was linked to New York almost immediately after he and the Penguins parted ways. Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has history with him through their USA Hockey connection, and Sullivan has been a long-rumored head-coaching target of Drury’s.
Drury reportedly wanted to hire Sullivan back in 2021 when there was talk the Penguins were going to let him go. However, he stayed and Drury went with Gerard Gallant.
Since firing Alain Vigneault in 2018, the Rangers have gone through three different head coaches and none have made it through Year 3. David Quinn was fired during his third season, while Gallant and Laviolette were let go after their second.
