The Rangers have been linked to Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan early in the aftermath of Peter Laviolette’s firing as head coach, but PensBurgh’s Hooks Oprik believes the talk from the New York Post about Sullivan being an “intriguing” replacement but not a realistic one.
Oprik compared the situation to last year’s rumors linking Sullivan to the Devils. He also dismissively stated there was “nothing to see here.”
“As a reminder, NHL teams can no longer trade or receive compensation for coaches under contract leaving to join another team. Sullivan is under contract with Pittsburgh until 2026-27. The team has absolutely no reason to not honor that contract, which would be obvious if one knew anything at all about the esteem the organization holds Sullivan in his position,” Oprik wrote.
“Thus, the big problem for those in the Big Apple that just want to float an “intriguing option” even if they aren’t in any way what reasonable people would call a “realistic option”. The Pens’ executives and ownership love Sullivan. Sullivan said he intends to stay, nothing else to see here.”
Laviolette finished with a 94-59-11 in two seasons with the Rangers. New York missed the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs by six points.
Sullivan has announced his intentions “are to be the head coach moving forward.” Despite that, the New York media will never ignore a reunion story. Sullivan’s four years in the Big Apple make for natural fodder.
That seems to be all it is at this juncture: fodder.