Just days after parting ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Mike Sullivan has been officially named the next leader of the New York Rangers.
Ranger President and General Manager Chris Drury said in an announcement:
“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career - including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench. 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. 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 Fan Morning Show, with guest Jason Mackey, reacted to the news and said that the Rangers are ready to win now, capturing the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.
Mackey says Sullivan is the kind of coach you want when you’re ready to win.
“I think Mike Sullivan is the kind of coach your hire when you’re most of the way there and you need to take somebody that final step,” said Mackey.
The guys also say they’re happy for Sullivan but not happy he went to the hated Rangers.
They also said that while Sullivan is one of the NHL’s best coaches, his time in Pittsburgh should’ve been over, so it’s now up to Kyle Dubas to hire the right, next guy.
Sullivan is the all-time wins leader in Penguins history with 409 wins and 255 losses.
After Mike Johnston was fired as Penguins’ Head Coach, Sullivan was named the new coach in mid-December 2015.
He would then go on to win back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships the next two season with the Penguins.
But, since, the Penguins have won one playoff series and haven't moved past the first round since 2018.
The Penguins have not made the playoffs the past three years.