Rangers Snatch Up Mike Sullivan in Stunning Turn—What Does This Mean for Both Rivals?

When a coaching legend gets shown the door, you figure the waiting game is on. Not this time. Mike Sullivan bounced right back, landing the New York Rangers’ head coaching job just days after his surprising exit from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, that’s what I call a quick rebound! The Rangers, desperate to shake off last season’s stinging playoff miss after a solid run to the conference finals the year before, are counting on Sullivan to be their magic ingredient. After a shaky finish that cost Peter Laviolette his seat, the Rangers weren’t messing around—they grabbed a man who’s no stranger to their locker room or history. Sullivan’s journey—from being drafted by the Rangers but never donning their jersey, to making his mark behind the bench with multiple teams, and most notably claiming two Stanley Cups with the Penguins—makes this reunion feel more like destiny than coincidence. With his proven track record, the question now is: can Sullivan steer this young Rangers roster back to glory? My gut says, buckle up, because things are about to get very interesting in Broadway’s rink. LEARN MORE

It didn’t take long for Mike Sullivan to find work. The New York Rangers announced Sullivan as the team’s next head coach Friday.

The move comes just days after the two-time Stanley Cup champion was fired by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sullivan joins a Rangers team looking to bounce back after falling short of expectations last season. After making it to the conference finals during the 2023-24 season, the Rangers failed to make the playoffs this year. A second-half swoon was the culprit, as New York went 8-13 down the stretch. The collapse resulted in the team firing Peter Laviolette, opening the door for Sullivan to enter the fold.

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It will be Sullivan’s third stint with the Rangers. He served as an assistant with the team two separate times — 2009-10 and 2012-13 — while in between head-coaching roles. Sullivan was also drafted by the team in 1987, though opted to return to college. He never played for the Rangers.

After an 11-year playing career in the NHL, Sullivan transitioned into coaching. His star rose quickly, and he was hired by the Boston Bruins just a few years after retiring. He spent two seasons with Boston, putting up a 70-56-15 record.

Sullivan then bounced around to various teams as an assistant while he waited for his next head-coaching opportunity. He spent time as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Rangers and Vancouver Canucks before becoming a development coach with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2014-15 NHL season.

The following year, Sullivan was hired by the Penguins, where he immediately experienced success. The Penguins won the Stanley Cup the first two years of Sullivan’s tenure. In 10 seasons with the team, he compiled a 409-255 record. He is the winningest head coach in Penguins history.

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While the Penguins continued to have strong seasons under Sullivan, the team became known for its early playoff exits. After going 34-36 last season, the Penguins fired Sullivan in April. It was the first time in his Penguins tenure that the team finished under .500.

Given his success in Pittsburgh, Sullivan was expected to garner plenty of interest once he became a free agent. The Rangers jumped at the chance to bring Sullivan back, and will hope he can get the franchise back on track after a disappointing year.