The news of Mike Sullivan‘s exit from the Pittsburgh Penguins have completely shocked the NHL coaching carousel, as a household name is now available for every franchise in need of an established head coach. It didn’t take long for Sullivan to draw interest from two important organizations, which feel just one winning head coach away from becoming contenders. According to reports, it’s looking like a two-horse race for the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
Sullivan proved his worth immediately after being named head coach in Pittsburgh midway through the 2015-16 NHL season. Guiding the Pens to their fourth Stanley Cup in his first season on the job, Sullivan proved it wasn’t a case of beginner’s luck, securing the back-to-back championship the next season.
Of course, it hasn’t gone smoothly since for Sullivan and the Penguins, as the franchise hasn’t won a playoff series in the last seven seasons, missing the postseason entirely in their last three campaigns. Despite this deflating precedent, Sullivan is still widely-acclaimed throughout the NHL, and him becoming available after nearly a decade shocked the market.
There are currently seven teams without a head coach named for the 2025-26 season: the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, and, of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders could soon join that list, and it’s possible that a team still in the playoffs might as well.
Head coach Mike Sullivan of Team USA handles the bench during the first period against Team Finland in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre on February 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
However, according to reports from insider Frank Seravalli, the Rangers and Bruins are the heavy favorites to sign the two-time Stanley Cup winning coach.
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NYC comes calling
The Rangers have had their eye on Sullivan for a long time, having pursued him in past offseasons, but the former Penguins coach was never made available, forcing New York to explore other options.
It feels the stars have finally alligned for the Broadway Blueshirts and Sullivan, the former are actively seeking a proven head coach who can guide them to their first Stanley Cup since 1994, while Sullivan is looking for a job and the Rangers boast, arguably, the most exciting roster out of every franchise with an opening behind the bench.
However, last season left the Rangers overflowing with drama, resulting in a fragile locker room in need of a new captain and strong leadership to guide them back to Lord Stanley. Whether Sullivan is hesitant to step into New York’s concrete jungle — with its constant honking, bright lights, and nonstop chaos — remains to be seen.
Head coach Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers speaks with the media prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2024 in New York City.
Back to Beantown?
The Bruins, on the other hand, would offer Sullivan a return to where his journey started. Sullivan was first named head coach for the Providence Bruins in the AHL, before being promoted to the NHL in 2003.
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Sullivan’s time with the Bruins was a true tale of two halves. During his first year during the 2003-04 campaingn, he led the team to a first place finish in the Northeast Division, but was shockingly knocked out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The NHL lockout ensued, and Sullivan’s Bruins were unable to repeat their success during the 2005-06 season, after which the head coach was fired.
Next season will be the 20th year anniversary since, though. Sullivan has proved his worth now, and the Bruins seem heavily interested in him to succeed Jim Montgomery and interim coach Joe Sacco.
Mike Sullivan, the newly appointed head coach of the Boston Bruins smiles at his family during a news conference June 23, 2003 in Boston, Massachusetts.
A tale of two cities
As it stands, a new spring and summer rivalry is brewing between New York and Boston — one that could end up even more intense than the Red Sox-Yankees battles. The Bruins and Rangers are set to clash in the race for Mike Sullivan.
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However, they’ll need to keep a close eye on potential dark horses, including one in Chicago, where a generational talent often dubbed Sidney Crosby’s successor could have a say in Sullivan’s decision.
