Report: Rangers in advanced talks to hire Sullivan as head coach
The New York Rangers are in advanced talks to hire Mike Sullivan as head coach, sources told ESPN's Emily Kaplan.
The contract is expected to be one of the most lucrative ever for an NHL head coach when finalized, reports Kaplan.
Sullivan spent the last decade with the Pittsburgh Penguins and won back-to-back Stanley Cups in his first two years on the job in 2016 and 2017.
The 57-year-old was considered one of the most highly sought-after coaches in a market that now includes seven active vacancies. The Anaheim Ducks were reportedly among the teams interested in his services.
Sullivan also spent two seasons as head coach of the Boston Bruins from 2003-06. His 479 career wins are the 32nd most in NHL history.
The Massachusetts native guided Team USA to a second-place finish at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He's also set to lead the Americans at the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
The Rangers are coming off a highly disappointing season. They went from winning the Presidents' Trophy and making the Eastern Conference Final in 2024 to missing the playoffs entirely in 2025 under Peter Laviolette.
The roster is still built to win now, though. Many members of the team's core - Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider - are over the age of 30. Adam Fox (27) and Igor Shesterkin (29) are among the exceptions.