The New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan as the team’s next head coach, just days after he parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sullivan returns to New York after previously serving as a Rangers assistant coach during the 2009-10 and 2012-13 seasons.
The deal is expected to be one of the most lucrative coaching contracts in NHL history, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. “Given his numerous accomplishments throughout his coaching career – including two Stanley Cups and leading Team USA at the international level – Mike brings a championship-level presence behind the bench.”
Sullivan, 57, spent the past 10 seasons with Pittsburgh, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in his first two years with the team.
He’s currently coaching Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and will lead the American squad at the 2026 Olympics in Italy.
The veteran coach was widely considered the top coaching candidate available after his departure from Pittsburgh.
Seven NHL head coaching vacancies remain following Sullivan’s hiring.
The Rangers dismissed Peter Laviolette after the team became just the fourth in NHL history to miss the playoffs the season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Sullivan becomes New York’s fourth head coach since 2021.
