Mike Sullivan Is Ready To Establish A True Legacy With The New York Rangers This Upcoming Season
Photo credit: Peter Carr/USA Today Network
Mike Sullivan is a two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach, and will have his chance to establish a legacy in New York. The veteran coach was hired by Chris Drury this postseason after Peter Laviolette's dismal performance in 2024-25. He'll have a lot to prove this year in Madison Square Garden as fans want to see a rebound.
Sullivan coached the Pittsburgh Penguins for the past decade and was capable of securing Stanley Cup hardware twice, in back-to-back seasons.
While he didn't establish a long-term dynasty, the Penguins were a dangerous team when they were in their prime and had all the right pieces. Fast forward to 2024-25, and Kyle Dubas has begun to tear down the team and is in the process of a rebuild.
The veteran head coach would seek employment elsewhere after he was fired by the team, and Chris Drury snatched him up with intent.
The Mike Sullivan Era In New York Begins
Formerly an assistant coach under John Tortorella from 2009 to 2013, Sullivan will be in a different function this time around in Madison Square Garden.
As the bench boss behind a team that needs a fresh outlook on life. Which Drury hopes he can deliver, as the team made it through an existential crisis on the ice.
Sullivan will be without players like Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby, but he will have Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin to use tactically.
In addition, forwards like Will Cuylle, JT Miller, and Vinnie Trocheck round out the core available to him.
His situation in New York will be quite different, considering this roster hasn't won a Cup since 1994.
Whereas in Pittsburgh, he joined a team that won a cup prior to his arrival, and was set to make big things happen.
This spot he's in will be far more challenging for the coach who was behind the bench in this season's Four Nations Face-Off.
Can his intent translate on the ice into winning?
Previously on NYRangersInsider
TRENDING NOW
