You could make the case that in 2005-06, Mike Sullivan was not ready to coach the Boston Bruins. He was 38 years old when the season concluded. He had yet to experience the NHL’s peaks and valleys.
Sullivan, now 57, now has that experience — from serving as John Tortorella’s assistant to leading the Pittsburgh Penguins to two Stanley Cups to coaching Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
He is more than ready for the challenge of helping his hometown team than he could have been 19 years ago.
The Marshfield, Mass., native and Boston University graduate concluded his run with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins on Monday. In an ideal world for the Bruins, Sullivan would join forces with son-in-law Charlie McAvoy on Tuesday. His resume and fit are seamless for the team.
Sullivan was delighted to coach McAvoy for the first time at 4 Nations. That run was interrupted following McAvoy’s shoulder injury against Finland and the infection that landed him in Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Personally, Sullivan would be close to McAvoy, daughter Kylie and grandson Rhys. The McAvoys live in Boston year-round.
Professionally, Sullivan would be an ideal match. As a collegian, Sullivan was teammates at BU with current interim coach Joe Sacco for three seasons. It’s possible Sacco would consider remaining in the organization to work with Sullivan for the first time professionally.
Sullivan also played with general manager Don Sweeney for one season in 1997-98. Sullivan was an assistant coach in 2002-03, Sweeney’s last year as an on-ice Bruin before he signed with the Dallas Stars.
As head coach, Sullivan had Patrice Bergeron for his first two NHL seasons. Sullivan helped Bergeron break in as a right wing, then oversaw his transition to center. Bergeron remains close with the organization. His input on the coaching search would be taken seriously.
In 2015-16, as head coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, Sullivan hired Jay Leach as his assistant. Leach took over when Sullivan was promoted to the Penguins that season. Leach is currently one of Sacco’s assistants. Leach has spoken highly of his AHL experience working with Sullivan.
At their peak, when Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang were at their best, the Penguins played an up-tempo, puck-possession game under Sullivan. He demanded prompt movement out of the defensive zone in front of Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray, his primary goalies during their Cup runs.
Sweeney’s priority in his coach is an appreciation for defensive accountability. He also wants a coach who will evolve offensively as the league’s skill and speed increase.
Sullivan was one year into a 3-year extension. That contract pays him the second highest salary (around $5.5M) behind only Jon Cooper.
He will be in high demand. Rangers and Bruins especially jump out as possibilities. But how the teams figure out the rest of his contract with… https://t.co/R32DcFPUdE— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 28, 2025
The trouble is the Bruins have competition. Two other Original Six clubs are searching for a full-time coach.
The New York Rangers, where Sullivan served as an assistant for four seasons, are looking for Peter Laviolette’s replacement. General manager Chris Drury has wanted to hire Sullivan in the past. The Chicago Blackhawks currently have Anders Sorensen on an interim basis.
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The Philadelphia Flyers are also searching for a full-time coach to replace Tortorella, Sullivan’s former boss. The Seattle Kraken dismissed Dan Bylsma, also a former Penguins coach. The Anaheim Ducks are another team looking for a coach after firing Greg Cronin.
Mike Sullivan coaching record
| Season | Team | Record | Points | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2003-04 |
41-19-15-7 |
104 |
3-4 |
|
|
2005-06 |
29-37-16 |
74 |
||
|
2015-16 |
33-16-5 |
71 |
16-8 |
|
|
2016-17 |
50-21-11 |
111 |
16-9 |
|
|
2017-18 |
47-29-6 |
100 |
6-6 |
|
|
2018-19 |
44-26-12 |
100 |
0-4 |
|
|
2019-20 |
40-23-6 |
86 |
1-3 |
|
|
2020-21 |
37-16-3 |
77 |
2-4 |
|
|
2021-22 |
46-25-11 |
103 |
3-4 |
|
|
2022-23 |
40-31-11 |
91 |
||
|
2023-24 |
38-32-12 |
88 |
||
|
2024-25 |
34-36-12 |
80 |
(Top photo: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
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