Following a subpar season, the New York Rangers released Peter Laviolette from his coaching position on April 19. On April 29, Mike Sullivan and the Pittsburgh Penguins parted ways. Following this, the Rangers presented an offer he found impossible to refuse. With a five-year contract, he’s now the highest-paid coach in NHL history.
Who would refuse that?
Sullivan’s history includes time with the Rangers. Between 2009 and 2013, John Tortorella’s Rangers staff included him as an assistant for four seasons. He became Pittsburgh’s coach during the 2015 season. A year later, they became back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2016 and 2017. Earlier this year, he was on the coaching staff at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February for Team USA.
Now that he coaches the Rangers, his task is to turn the team around. The only question is, will he be able to do it with the current roster, or will major changes need to occur?
The first answer that comes to mind is that it depends. How will he be able to reach and connect with the players? Moreover, what will the roster look like once the 2025-26 season rolls around?
So many questions are being asked by the media and fans alike.
Will the Players Buy In?
Will Sullivan’s leadership ensure player commitment beyond a single season? Maybe. The past two coaches had success in the first season, but then something happened. Something changed each time, and it was apparent something was going on, but no one was talking about it. However, it affected how they played the game.
It will also depend on which players are still on the roster. There is a lot of time and space between now and the beginning of the season. Sullivan has played against the Rangers enough times to know what most of the players are capable of. The trick will be to see if a player has what it takes to be a part of his plan. Sullivan incorporates a fast-paced, straight-ahead system. It allows pucks to go deep, but he also has players apply pressure with a persistent forecheck.
Previous coaches have attempted to implement similar styles, with little success. Sullivan will need to get the players to want to do it, changing the style of play they have become used to. Especially on the defensive side. The Rangers were one of the worst defensive teams this past season. Can the Rangers overcome this challenge? Only time will tell.
The Youth Issue
The Rangers have a history of continuously trusting older, more seasoned players. Which is not normally a bad thing. However, trusting them, when their level of play has slid downward, over giving a younger, more inexperienced player a chance has been the standard for the past few coaches.
The best players the Rangers have are getting older. Eventually, they will no longer be the star players. The 2024-25 season saw a notable dip in performance from several star players. When those star players have a down season, then the goalie has to pick up the slack, and in turn and eventually have a not-so-great season.
Is the answer the young players? Not necessarily, but they deserve more playing time. The Rangers have some talented players on the team in Hartford, but it is unknown if they could make it on an NHL team. They need that chance. They’re going to need more experience, because who knows how long the current core of the Rangers will last.
Then, even if they get experience, can Sullivan shape them into the players he needs them to be. Of course, it still is contingent on whether he can turn around the core players, at least for the next few seasons.
Relationship Between Front Office, Staff, and Players
Sullivan will need to bridge the communication and relationship gap between the front office and the players. Given the issues this past season, Sullivan has his work cut out for him. He’s known for fairness and communicating clear expectations to his players.
Improved relations between coaches and players notwithstanding, Chris Drury presents a separate challenge. Love him or hate him, Drury is the General Manager. He holds his cards very close, so much so that it has caused some bouts of drama over this past season.
Sullivan will need to keep the players focused on playing. No matter what issues arise or feelings are trampled on by the front office. Laviolette was either unable to do so or chose not to. He perhaps placed excessive trust in players’ professionalism; players are, after all, only human. Just look at what happened regarding the Jacob Trouba trade. The rumors about Chris Kreider getting traded. The turmoil was an unaffordable gift to the Rangers. If Sullivan, the core players, and the team overall want to make it past two seasons, then he will need to come up with a plan to counteract the front office.
Sullivan’s track record speaks for itself. Questions will remain until that first drop of the puck. Speculation will abound and fans will wait with bated breath until they see a change in how their favorite players are performing on the ice. Sullivan is not the hero fans believe he is, but he is the coach they need at the moment to right the sinking ship core of an NHL team.
