The New York Rangers are in the early stages of a head coaching search after firing Peter Laviolette, and one familiar name has already emerged as a potential, though unlikely, target.
According to USA Today's Vince Mercogliano, Rangers general manager Chris Drury is interested in Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.
“The guy that I believe that Drury is targeting No. 1 on his list is not technically available,” Mercogliano said. “That would be Mike Sullivan, the two-time Stanley Cup winning coach from the Pittsburgh Penguins.”
According to Mercogliano, Drury isn't afraid of hiring a head coach without prior experience, but the Rangers GM would prefer to hire someone with vast experience for the team's bench.
Sullivan has two years remaining on his contract with Pittsburgh and made a clear statement on Friday during the team’s final media availability.
“My intentions are to be the head coach moving forward,” Sullivan said last week.
The coach kept his answer short and direct, signaling no desire to entertain speculation, although that press conference took place before the Rangers announced Laviolette's firing.
According to Mercogliano, though, the Rangers haven’t ruled out the possibility of exploring a path to bring him in.
“I’ve heard that there could be some wiggle room there,” Mercogliano said. “I know the Rangers are waiting to find out if there is any chance of prying him away.”
Sullivan, who has coached the Penguins since 2015, has a longstanding relationship with Drury through USA Hockey and would come with two Stanley Cup titles under his belt.
Despite the Rangers’ interest, however, the expectation is for Sullivan to remain committed to the Penguins organization.
“(Sullivan) told me on two different occasions this season that he has absolutely no intentions of leaving the Penguins,” The Athletic's Josh Yohe wrote on Friday. “His loyalty to the franchise is extreme.”
The Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in four years and dismissed Laviolette after a 39-36-7 season. Meanwhile, the Penguins also failed to clinch a postseason berth, finishing the year with a 34-36-12 record.
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