“I also wonder if Mike Sullivan wants to move on to a different challenge like Boston or New York,” sportscaster John Buccigross told the audience on X on April 16. Yet the NHL insider’s thoughts turned out to be prophetic. The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the news that they’d parted ways with Mike Sullivan, who got them back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 17. And while Buccigross may have had an inkling, the casual fan likely didn’t.

That’s because Sullivan, who breathed new life into the Penguins after joining as head coach, signed a contract extension in 2022. “Sullivan had two years remaining on his contract,” revealed NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. Despite the Penguins’ gradual decline, missing their third straight playoff this season, Buccigross and Friedman believe the veteran coach will have plenty of options. Yet, the first call may come from the Big Apple.

Yet, why did both analysts mention New York? Well, Elliotte Friedman had the answer. “Obviously, he will have options. In 2021, Rangers GM Chris Drury waited on Sullivan’s availability before hiring Gerard Gallant. But there will be plenty of interest,” the NHL Network insider explained about Mike Sullivan’s prospects. But will the 57-year-old really end up in New York?

Well, there are arguments both against and in support of this theory. It’s safe to say that the Sullivan the Rangers would get now isn’t riding high like he was in 2021. Back then, Sullivan had helped the Penguins reach the NHL playoffs for 16 straight seasons from 2007 to 2022. In fact, Coach Sullivan gave the Penguins two of their three Stanley Cups during that period.

Yet now, his Penguins have failed to make the playoffs for the last three years. On the flip side, the New York Rangers aren’t doing too hot either. Despite giving eventual champions the Florida Panthers a run for their money in the 2023–24 playoffs, the Rangers bombed hard. They crashed out of the wildcard race, and they made some big changes earlier this month.

The frontrunners to sign Mike Sullivan

While Mike Sullivan’s stock has certainly gone down in the last three seasons, developments at the New York Rangers make them the prime candidates to offer a contract. That’s because on April 19, New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury dropped some big news regarding not one but two coaching changes in New York’s camp.

“Today I informed Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley (associate head coach) that we’re making a coaching change,” Drury announced. This came after Laviolette’s Rangers found themselves in the position to win the Eastern Conference wild card but let it slip away after losing multiple crucial games. Yet, the GM didn’t put the blame solely on the coaching staff.

“We must all do better – myself included,” said Chris Drury. “Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately,” he added, and if there is someone with Sullivan’s resume, it’s difficult to see how NYR won’t take a shot. That being said, NHL insider and hockey writer Joe Haggerty floated another rumor shortly after Sullivan’s departure.

“There has been a lot of chatter amongst hockey people about Mike Sullivan and the Boston Bruins for weeks. This is an interesting development,” explained Haggerty. The Boston Bruins are yet another team that’ve tried and failed to reset their team despite making extensive changes, including training veterans like Brad Marchand. Will they now look to the Penguins franchise wins (406) record holder for answers? Considering how the 57-year-old revitalized the Penguins during his initial years, it makes him the perfect fit for the NYR and the Bruins.