The Pittsburgh Penguins did what many expected Monday morning, parting ways with coach Mike Sullivan after more than nine years on the job.
Sullivan won two Stanley Cups in his first two years on the job in Pittsburgh, and he guided them to the playoffs in each of his first seven years. However, Sullivan failed to guide the Penguins to the post-season in each of the past three years, and they finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division – his lowest finish with Pittsburgh.
Sullivan’s championship pedigree will lead to multiple NHL teams seeking to bring him aboard as their bench boss. While there are currently seven teams seeking to name a permanent coach, there are three front-runners to land Sullivan’s services.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins fired Jim Montgomery early last season, replacing him with interim coach Joe Sacco. But the fact Boston hasn’t removed the ‘interim’ tag from Sacco so far tells you all you need to know about the likelihood of Sacco getting the permanent job in Beantown.
Sullivan makes sense for the Bruins on several fronts. For one thing, Boston is looking at a retool, not a rebuild, so Sullivan could take the B’s job knowing Bruins management will be making roster moves to push the team back into the post-season right away.
Sullivan also cut his teeth as an NHL coach in Boston, coaching the Bruins from 2003 to 2006. Sullivan’s familiarity with the Bruins organization gives Boston an advantage as teams try to bring him on board. Sullivan is also a Massachusetts native who appreciates what it means to coach an Original Six franchise.
For all those reasons, Boston has to be seen as a front-runner for Sullivan. The Bruins don’t want to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, and while there would be big-time pressure on Sullivan if he took the job in Boston, he would welcome that pressure and is capable of handling the accompanying challenge.
New York Rangers
The Rangers gave GM Chris Drury a vote of confidence late last week, signing him to a multi-year contract extension. But the Blueshirts need a new coach after firing veteran Peter Laviolette nearly two weeks ago, and Sullivan could be the ideal replacement for Laviolette.
Like the Bruins, the Rangers missed the playoffs, but the Rangers also intend to be a playoff team in 2025-26, and Sullivan would probably see Manhattan as an attractive option.
Sullivan also knows what it’s like to coach the Rangers, as he was an assistant coach for them from 2009 to 2013. Getting a kick at the can as a head coach would make the Rangers an intriguing opportunity for Sullivan, and money wouldn’t be an object for the franchise.
The Rangers have an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, and every coach knows how crucial it is for a team to have a star in net if they intend on going on a deep playoff run. That will be a distinct possibility in New York City next season, and Sullivan could get right back into the playoff mix with the Rangers.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers don’t have an organic connection to Sullivan, but given Philadelphia’s arch-rivalry with the Penguins, Sullivan knows the passion Flyers fans have for their team. And Philadelphia is a young team many believe is on the rise, so Sullivan could see them as an attractive destination.
Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere dismissed veteran bench boss John Tortorella late in the regular season, but he shouldn’t be afraid to hire a well-versed replacement in Sullivan, who was part of Tortorella’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.
The biggest stumbling block for Sullivan may be the Flyers still rebuilding and lacking a clearly reliable starting netminder, but Briere may be able to sell the job on Sullivan by sharing the plan forward.
To get ahead of the Rangers and Bruins, the Flyers will have to be creative and forceful. But stranger things have happened than Philadelphia hiring Sullivan. A motivated and well-supported Flyers team may be extremely appealing for Sullivan.
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