Mike Sullivan wasted no time setting the tone for the 2025-26 NHL season as he dropped a blunt statement during his introductory press conference with the New York Rangers. The new coach in The Big Apple delivered a firm reminder to his players, included Igor Shesterkin, with a shot at Peter Laviolette and the organization’s past.
The Rangers are hoping to move on from their last NHL season, for which disappointing would be a massive understatement. After winning the Presidents’ Trophy during the 2023-24 campaign, the Blueshirts missed the postseason the very next season.
Urgent times require immediate reactions, and it’s made clear general manager Chris Drury doesn’t shy away from making drastic decisions. Thus, the Rangers fired Laviolette, signing two-time Stanley Cup champion, Sullivan, to replace him behind the bench.
Sullivan has more than enough experience coaching in the Metropolitan Division. And, even though, he guided the Pittsburgh Penguins to just one divisional title in the regular season, his postseason success has far eclipsed that stat.
Former head coach of the New York Rangers Peter Laviolette arrives for the game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 10, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
As Sullivan enters the organization in Manhattan amid their most turbulent times in recent years, the 57-year-old bench-boss has made something clear to Shesterkin and the stars on the roster immediately upon arrival, while taking a subtle shot at Laviolette’s work.
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“As we all know, talent alone doesn’t win championships. Teams win championships,” Sullivan boldly stated during his introduction as head coach in New York. “I think that’s going to be our challenge from Day 1, is to become a team in the true sense of the word.
“I can’t really comment on what’s evolved here in the past. All I can speak to is what we can potentially build here moving forward.”
Aftermath
Sullivan’s comments are far from cliché, they are carefully tailored to the Rangers’ situation as they head into the NHL offseason with several question marks floating around at Madison Square Garden.
For starters, Sullivan has entered an acephalous locker room without a named captain for the upcoming campaign. After Jacob Trouba’s trade to the Anaheim Ducks, the Blueshirts witnessed their captain’s departure, and that role has been vacant since, with many new voices emerging and making their candidacy clear to wear the ‘C’ for the Rangers next season.
Head coach Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins watches the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks during the season opening game at the United Center on October 5, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.
“I think that’s a discussion that I’ll have with Chris [Drury] here moving forward, we haven’t got that far quite honestly,” Sullivan said when asked about whether a captain has been decided yet. “The one takeaway that I have from those conversations is I think there’s a fair amount of leadership in that room. So, whether you wear a letter or you don’t wear a letter, leadership manifests itself in so many different ways.”
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Reunited with the Americans
Last season, Vincent Trocheck became one of the most powerful leaders in the locker room during the roughest stretches of the year. However, his is not the only name in contention.
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What appears clear is that the next captain in New York will most likely be an American—one whom Sullivan coached during Team USA’s runner-up finish at the 4 Nations tournament. Potential candidates include Vincent Trocheck, J.T. Miller, Adam Fox, and Chris Kreider. “What I learned is that they’re fierce competitors and they have an insatiable appetite to win,” Sullivan stated.
