Reports: Rangers zero in on Mike Sullivan as next head coach

Mike Sullivan, who led the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, is deep into contract negotiations to become the next head coach of the New York Rangers, according to multiple media reports on Thursday.

The Penguins parted ways with the 10-year coach on April 28, nine days after the Rangers dismissed coach Peter Laviolette. Both teams missed the playoffs as the postseason drought for the Penguins reached three consecutive campaigns.

The Rangers, a preseason favorite in the Eastern Conference, missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Their next coach will be the 38th in franchise history.

Sullivan spent four seasons (2009-13) as an assistant coach for the Rangers, serving under John Tortorella. The two could work together again, as Tortorella left his post as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers late this season. The duo served on the staff of Team USA in the recent 4 Nations Face-Off.

Sullivan, a Marshfield, Mass., native, served as the head coach of the Boston Bruins for the 2003-04 and 2005-06 seasons and was hired by the Penguins midway through the 2015-16 season. His first two squads in Pittsburgh finished second in the Metropolitan Division, but went on to capture the Stanley Cup each time, defeating the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, respectively.

Sullivan is 21 wins shy of 500 in his 12-year career, with a mark of 479-311-112. He is the winningest coach in Penguins' history with 409.

--Field Level Media