Mike Sullivan has options following his Monday parting with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Excellent ones, at that. Three Original Six teams are searching for a new coach.
Sullivan’s reputation is such that current playoff teams could let their current coaches go for an opportunity to hire the 58-year-old. The more Sullivan practices patience, the more chances he gives himself to land what could be a long-term solution.
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On the flip side, Sullivan could cash in if a team identifies him as its no-discussion target and makes an aggressive offer.
Either way, Sullivan is in a good spot.
So who has the inside track? Following is a list of possibilities:
New York Rangers
This makes all the sense in the world. Sullivan worked at Madison Square Garden as John Tortorella’s lead assistant for four seasons. He coached J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider, who remain under contract with the Rangers. In fact, Sullivan even coached Chris Drury, now the Rangers general manager.
Like Drury, Sullivan is a Boston University graduate. Sullivan would have primetime players: Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Miller and Igor Shesterkin. He would be counted on to continue the development of Will Cuylle, Alexis Lafrenière and Braden Schneider, among others. The Rangers, in all likelihood, are the closest to Stanley Cup contention compared to their competitors.
Sullivan, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, has two years remaining on his contract. Given the Rangers’ resources, it’s a good bet Sullivan would make what is left on his deal plus a premium. Drury, who signed his own extension on April 23, has plenty of political capital to do whatever he needs to improve the team.
Odds: Leader of the pack
Boston Bruins
Personal and professional connections put the Bruins in the mix. Sullivan is from Marshfield, Mass. He attended Boston College High School. He went down the street to BU. He was the Bruins’ head coach from 2003 to 2006 — earlier than ideal, in retrospect.
Sullivan would have the opportunity to coach son-in-law Charlie McAvoy, continuing what they started at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He would be close to daughter Kylie and grandson Rhys.
Whether Sullivan would consider the Bruins to be as Cup-ready as the Rangers is unknown. GM Don Sweeney insists the Bruins can return to the playoffs in 2025-26, but they have multiple holes to fill in the offseason.
Odds: Right there behind the Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Like the Rangers and Bruins, the Flyers have history and resources on their side. President Keith Jones and GM Danny Briere have the franchise’s legacy in mind as they continue their rebuild.
Sullivan would have the insight of Tortorella, who coached the Flyers from 2022 until his end-of-season dismissal in 2025. The Flyers have Travis Konecny in his prime, Matvei Michkov on the upswing and Tyson Foerster developing well. But they are inexperienced in net.
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Sullivan is familiar with the Flyers given the Pennsylvania rivalry with the Penguins. He may not consider them to be at the Rangers’ level in terms of playoff competitiveness, though.
Odds: Lukewarm
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have Original Six appeal. They also have Connor Bedard and a collection of futures who’ll be arriving soon.
But the Blackhawks do not project to be a legitimate NHL contender for at least another season. Sullivan may see shades of the Penguins in the Blackhawks in terms of remaining under construction, albeit with a brighter future.
Odds: Unlikely
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks don’t have the big-market appeal of their peers. But GM Pat Verbeek is building for the future with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe and Mason McTavish. Verbeek is searching for a coach who can connect with young players while also instilling three-zone accountability.
Would Sullivan be interested in being patient as the youngsters mature?
Odds: Slim
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are going through transition. Former GM Ron Francis is now president of hockey operations. Jason Botterill, who worked with Sullivan in Pittsburgh, has been promoted to GM. Sullivan and Botterill have the foundation of their Penguins connection.
But the Kraken are not growing at the pace of their expansion predecessors, the Vegas Golden Knights. Matty Beniers is a good young player but does not project to be a star. There’s work to do.
Odds: Minimal
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks do not have a vacancy. But whether Rick Tocchet remains in his current position is unknown.
In fact, Sullivan’s parting with the Penguins could goose Tocchet into making a move. Tocchet was Sullivan’s assistant in Pittsburgh from 2014 to 2017. Tocchet could consider the Pittsburgh opening as a better option than Vancouver or Philadelphia.
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So if Tocchet leaves, would Sullivan consider returning to the Canucks, where he was Tortorella’s assistant for one season? It would be, in essence, a Tocchet-Sullivan trade.
Odds: Wild
Other possibilities
The Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights could become contenders if they flame out in the playoffs.
Sullivan would be taking over stronger clubs than the ones with current vacancies. But he would have to wait.
(Photo: Charles LeClaire / USA Today)
This news was originally published on this post .
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