Rangers close to hiring Mike Sullivan as new coach, could add John Tortorella as assistant: report

The New York Rangers are reportedly closing in on hiring Mike Sullivan to be their new coach. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Thursday night that the Rangers are “in advanced talks” to make Sullivan the 38th coach in franchise history.

This not a surprise, of course. Chris Drury has coveted the two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach ever since he was named general manager in May 2021. Drury pursued Sullivan before hiring Gerard Gallant in 2021 and Peter Laviolette in 2023. Each time, Sullivan remained coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When Sullivan parted ways with the Penguins earlier this week after 10 seasons, he immediately became the favorite to replace the fired Laviolette and fill the Rangers vacancy.

Sullivan reportedly makes more than $5 million annually on a lucrative extension he signed with the Penguins in 2023. Kaplan made it seem like he will zoom past that amount with the Rangers.

“It is expected to be one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history,” Kaplan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

There are several coaching openings in the NHL, outside of the Penguins. So, Sullivan has options. But a return to the Rangers, where he was an assistant under John Tortorella from 2009-13, has been expected by NHL insiders since his departure from the Penguins.

Elliotte Friedman spoke for many when he said Monday, “Until someone beats the Rangers out for Sullivan’s services, that’s who I’m picking … He’s their No. 1.”

Added Frank Seravalli on the Daily Cuppa Hockey podcast, “The Rangers will have their coach by the end of this week,” likely alluding to Sullivan.

The 57-year-old guided the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, his first two seasons as their coach. Sullivan is the coaching wins leader in Penguins history with a record of 409-255-89, and the 14th coach all-time in the NHL to win 400 games with one team.

Sullivan also coached the Boston Bruins from 2003-06, and his 479 wins are 32nd in NHL history.

Rangers could reunite with former coach John Tortorella in different role

In an intriguing twist, Kaplan and Kevin Weekes are reporting that Tortorella could return to the Rangers as Sullivan’s assistant, a role reversal for them behind the Blueshirts bench. Tortorella was an assistant when Sullivan coached the United States at the 4 Nations Face-off in February, so it’s not without precedent.

“Sounds like John Tortorella is a strong possibility to re-join the organization as well,” Kaplan posted on X.

Tortorella was fired as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 27. His 171 wins with the Rangers are fifth most by a coach in franchise history; and his 770 wins with five teams is ninth all-time in the NHL, and second most among United States-born coaches, behind Laviolette (846).

In 2011-12 with Tortorella as coach and Sullivan his top assistant, the Rangers won 51 games and had 109 points to finish first in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final, losing in six games to the New Jersey Devils.

Sullivan was also Tortorella’s assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks.

If Tortorella returns to the Rangers, this would be his third tenure with the organization. He also was an assistant under John Muckler in 1999-2000, and finished that season as interim coach for four games (0-3 with one tie) after Muckler was fired.

In one final twist, Drury played for Tortorella and Sullivan in his final two NHL seasons with the Rangers from 2009-11.