Larry Brooks

Larry Brooks

Why Rangers’ Mike Sullivan hire isn’t same-old, same-old — and the looming questions coach must answer

By
Larry Brooks
Published May 7, 2025, 6:42 p.m. ET
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan stands behind his bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins
The Rangers are onto their third coach in the last five season -- and Mike Sullivan will have to prove he's different than his predescessors. AP

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The Rangers are doing this for the third time over the past five springs. Every other year, there is a coaching search. Every other year, there is an introductory news conference for the man of the hour. 

Thursday morning, it will be Mike Sullivan’s turn to step into the spotlight, take the mic and answer the generic inquiries about systems, expectations, communication and the weight of this Original Six job that are posed biennially to the incoming coach. 

There are, however, questions that will be unique to this coach in this circumstance. Here is a sample: 

Q: Gerard Gallant, born on Sept. 2, 1963, was 57 years old when hired after coaching multiple NHL teams. Peter Laviolette, born on Dec. 7, 1964 (in Franklin, Mass.), was 58 when he was hired after coaching multiple NHL teams. Sullivan, born on Feb. 27, 1968 (in Marshfield, Mass.) is 57 after having coached multiple NHL teams.