The NHL’s coaching carousel has recorded its first hire of the offseason.
The New York Rangers announced Friday that they have hired Mike Sullivan as the franchise’s 38th coach. The two-time Stanley Cup winner was available because he and the Pittsburgh Penguins had parted ways this week after a third season missing the playoffs.
The Rangers had fired Peter Laviolette after the team had fallen from the best record in the league in 2023-24 to out of the playoffs this season. Sullivan, who coached Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh plus Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, will take over another team loaded with high-end players. He had been an assistant coach with the Rangers from 2009-13.
‘I’ve gotten to know Mike very well over the years, including as teammates in the 1997 World Championships, when he coached me as a player in New York and through our shared time working together with USA Hockey,’ general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. ‘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.”
The Rangers had been No. 1 on USA TODAY’s rankings of the NHL’s coach openings. Here are the remaining seven destinations, ranked from most to least attractive:
1. Anaheim Ducks
Reason for opening: Greg Cronin was fired after two seasons.
Recent history: They haven’t made the playoffs for seven seasons.
Advantages: The team jumped 21 points in the standings so it’s on the rise. Forward Troy Terry and goalie Lukas Dostal are solid. The Ducks have promising younger players in Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson. GM Pat Verbeek said he will be aggressive in free agency.
Disadvantages: Even with the improvement, the Ducks finished 16 points off a playoff spot. The Western Conference is tough. The Ducks finished last in the league on the power play and in the bottom five in goals, penalty killing and 5-on-5 play. Trevor Zegras has problems staying healthy.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Reason for opening: The team and Sullivan agreed to part ways.
Recent history: They have missed the playoffs the last three seasons.
Advantages: You get to coach Crosby, who continues to thrive and broke Wayne Gretzky’s record with a 20th season averaging at least a point per game. He’s signed for two more seasons. Fellow core member Malkin has another year left on his contract and Kris Letang has three. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust topped 30 goals this season.
Disadvantages: There’s not a lot of production from the bottom six forward group. Goaltender Tristan Jarry’s inconsistency led to time in the American Hockey League. The team ranked 29th in the league in five-on-five goal differential and had the fourth-worst goals-against average.
3. Boston Bruins
Reason for opening: Jim Montgomery was fired in November and Joe Sacco finished the season as interim coach. The Bruins said Sacco would be considered in their coaching search.
Recent history: The Bruins’ eight-year playoff streak ended this season.
Advantages: David Pastrnak is an elite scorer. Morgan Geekie had a breakout season. The team will be better when injured defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm return. GM Don Sweeney has cap room to make free agency moves.
Disadvantages: Core players were dealt at the deadline. As of now, the center depth needs improvement. Goalie Jeremy Swayman is coming off a down season. Sweeney, whose free agency moves for Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov didn’t pan out, has a year left on his contract.
4. Chicago Blackhawks
Reason for opening: Luke Richardson was fired in December. Anders Sorensen finished the season as interim coach.
Recent history: They have one playoff appearance in the last eight seasons, none since 2020.
Advantages: Connor Bedard is a generational player and will keep getting better. Ryan Donato scored 31 goals this season. Trade deadline acquisition Spencer Knight is a potential franchise goalie. The team will draft high again in 2025.
Disadvantages: The Blackhawks traded away a lot of veterans before winning the 2023 Bedard draft lottery and lack depth. Even with promising young players, this is a long rebuild. Donato is a free agent.
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Reason for opening: John Tortorella was fired in March and Brad Shaw finished the season as interim coach.
Recent history: They last made the playoffs in 2020.
Advantages: Young forward Matvei Michkov is an exciting, skilled player. Forward Travis Konecny and defenseman Travis Sanheim made Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Disadvantages: They finished last in the conference so there’s a long way to go. Their goaltending is inconsistent.
6. Vancouver Canucks
Reason for opening: Rick Tocchet turned down a new contract offer to pursue other opportunities.
Recent history: They missed the playoffs this season and have made it once in the past five years.
Advantage: They won the Pacific Division title in 2023-24. Defenseman Quinn Hughes won the Norris Trophy last year and is a finalist this season.
Disadvantage: This is far from the team that won the division title. J.T. Miller was traded to New York after he and Elias Pettersson had a dispute. Pettersson needs to find his game again. Goaltender Thatcher Demko has injury issues. Brock Boeser is expected to leave in free agency. And according to team president Jim Rutherford, Hughes wants to play with his brothers: New Jersey’s Jack and Luke. His contract runs out in 2026.
7. Seattle Kraken
Reason for opening: Dan Bylsma was fired in April after one season.
Recent history: They have made the playoffs once in four seasons of existence.
Advantage: Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn bring offense from the blue line. The team can build around youngsters Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. Kaapo Kakko looked good after his arrival in a trade. Joey Daccord is solid in net.
Disadvantage: Unlike the Golden Knights, this recent expansion team has had little success, outside its second season. The Kraken’s team defense ranks in the bottom third of the league. Philipp Grubauer has struggled in net.
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