Mike Sullivan weighs top candidates to be next Rangers captain: ‘There’s a lot of character in that room’

Mike Sullivan has a lot on his plate as the new coach of the New York Rangers. Just a week after being hired, Sullivan has already started on his to-do list, calling each player on the roster to begin building relationships.

When asked Thursday at his introductory press conference if he’s thought about the vacant Rangers captaincy, Sullivan admitted that wasn’t one of the things he discussed yet with general manager Chris Drury. But he did say the recent conversations he’s had with the players have him thinking good things about leadership on the team.

“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. I think there’s a lot of character in that room, just based on the initial conversations that I’ve had with these guys. Chris and I will work through some of those challenges” Sullivan said.

The Rangers have been without a captain since Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6. New York finished the season without a captain, though Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider continued to serve as alternates.

Trouba was in his third season as Rangers captain, beginning in 2022-23. They went four seasons without a captain after trading Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. Interestingly, each of the past three Rangers captains, including Ryan Callahan, were traded away by the organization.

Sullivan likely will take his time getting to know the different personalities during training camp before deciding on his leadership group. Former Rangers coach Gerard Gallant waited until his second season behind the bench before Trouba was named captain.

He is already familiar with several players on the team, having served as an assistant under John Tortorella when Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller made their NHL debuts with the Rangers. Additionally, he coached Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, Miller, and Kreider with the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

When asked about his experience with those four Rangers during the midseason tournament, Sullivan said he learned that they were “fierce competitors” with an “insatiable appetite to win.”

During Sullivan’s 10-year tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he had one of the greatest captains in NHL history: future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby. The veteran coach understands what defines a true leader, having witnessed Crosby lead the Penguins to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

Here are the top candidates to become the 29th captain in franchise history.

3. J.T. Miller

Though Miller played just 32 games with the Rangers after arriving from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, it’s hard to ignore his leadership qualities. Miller plays a gritty, physical style that his teammates feed off, and he’s a vocal, take-charge personality.

He was an alternate captain with the Canucks for four seasons and is widely respected around the League and inside the Rangers room.

Miller is 32 and has five years remaining on his contract, so he’s going to be here a while. He’ll likely wear a letter next season, whether it’s a “C” or an “A”.

2. Adam Fox

The hometown kid is a leader on the ice and a productive player; his 369 points rank fifth all-time among defensemen in Rangers history.

Fox is a bit soft-spoken, which may not be a plus. But he is under contract through the 2028-29 season, and Sullivan praised him Thursday.

“He is still a young guy, and he already has a Norris Trophy in his trophy case. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Adam. I don’t think there is any doubt that Adam is an elite player in this league,” Sullivan said.

1. Vincent Trocheck

Trocheck is a heart-and-soul player on the ice, a respected veteran and an intelligent voice dealing with the media. He’s likely the favorite to become next Rangers captain.

After Trouba was traded, Trocheck stepped up as a leader on and off the ice, and often was the player providing passionate insight into the team.

“I want to be a part of the reason that we do right the ship,” Trocheck said on breakup day. “We don’t have very many opportunities to win a Stanley Cup, and that’s the whole reason why everybody in this locker room plays the game. I’m looking forward to having this summer to figure things out. I have a lot of things in mind that we can work on and get better at. I do take responsibility for a lot of it.”

Also you might remember that after the Game 6 loss in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final to the Florida Panthers, Trocheck was the first player to comfort Igor Shesterkin after the goalie’s incredible run fell short. A small thing, perhaps. But it’s the type of action teammates take notice of.