Insider reveals New York Rangers divisional rivals made strong pursuit to acquire Mike Sullivan
Photo credit: New Jersey Hockey Now
A year ago, the New Jersey Devils were dead set on acquiring Mike Sullivan as Head Coach. After rumors were shot down, the team would hire Sheldon Keefe, while a patient New York Rangers GM, Chris Drury, held his hand and won.
The New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury may have won the war of wills between themselves and their Hudson River rivals, the Devils.
Not too long ago, the Devils were interested in acquiring the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach. NHL Insider Nick Kypreos was the one spreading the rumor that Tom Fitzgerald was interested in reuniting with his friend, Mike Sullivan, in New Jersey.
Rumours of Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan leaving Pittsburgh to join close friend Tom Fitzgerald in New Jersey won't dissipate. Despite being under contract, it could simply come down to Sullivan's lack of confidence in GM Dubas's ability to contend anytime soon.
Now, a year later, Kyle Dubas would make the separation between the Penguins and Sullivan official.
«There have been no requests and no permissions granted,» Dubas said in a text message to The Athletic.
A Devils source said New Jersey would have interest in Sullivan if he wasn't under contract with the Penguins.
A Devils source said New Jersey would have interest in Sullivan if he wasn't under contract with the Penguins.
Interesting coincidence, isn't it?
Now, the Rangers will be the beneficiaries of the hubris of Kyle Dubas, who has only run the Penguins' front office for a short period of time.
It seems that the team could undergo a rebuild, which explains why Dubas has been trading away pieces as he goes and will be bringing in a new coach soon.
The Rangers get a Stanley Cup-winning coach in Mike Sullivan, who is one of the best American-born bench bosses in the league.
Sullivan began his coaching career in the NHL during the 2003-04 season, coaching the Boston Bruins. He wouldn't win his first Stanley Cup until he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
MAI 3 | 1195 ANSWERS Insider reveals New York Rangers divisional rivals made strong pursuit to acquire Mike Sullivan Do you think Head Coach Mike Sullivan of the New York Rangers would've joined the New Jersey Devils if offered the role of Head Coach? | ||
| Yes | 464 | 38.8 % |
| No | 731 | 61.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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