NHL teams have plenty of coaching positions to fill this offseason, and it appears that one might be getting close.
ESPN reported Thursday that the New York Rangers are in advanced contract talks with Mike Sullivan, the two-time Stanley Cup winner who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins this week.
The Rangers had fired Peter Laviolette after the season. The Seattle Kraken’s Dan Bylsma and Anaheim Ducks’ Greg Cronin also were fired. The Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks made coaching changes during the season and will have to decide on a permanent coach.
The Vancouver Canucks have to look for a coach after Rick Tocchet turned down the team’s contract offer this week and chose to pursue other opportunities. The Penguins also have an opening with Sullivan out.
That leaves eight openings before the Rangers make anything official. USA TODAY Sports ranks the destinations from most to least attractive:
1. New York Rangers
Reason for opening: Laviolette was fired in April after a 29-point drop in the standings and a missed playoff berth.
Recent history: They missed the playoffs this season, ending a three-year run.
Advantages: The Rangers had the league’s best record in 2023-24 and reached the Eastern Conference final. Igor Shesterkin is one of the league’s top goaltenders. J.T. Miller’s arrival in a trade provided a spark and there are plenty of top-end players. Chris Drury just signed a contract extension, so you know who your general manager will be.
Disadvantages: Drury’s last two coaches were fired after two seasons. He moved out several players from the 2023-24 team. Many players underachieved this season. The defensive play needs work. The Rangers allow too many high-danger chances and rely too much on Shesterkin for their success.
2. Anaheim Ducks
Reason for opening: Cronin was fired after two seasons.
Recent history: They haven’t made the playoffs for seven seasons.
Advantages: The team jumped 21 points in the standings so it’s on the rise. Forward Troy Terry and goalie Lukas Dostal are solid. The Ducks have promising younger players in Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson. GM Pat Verbeek said he will be aggressive in free agency.
Disadvantages: Even with the improvement, the Ducks finished 16 points off a playoff spot. The Western Conference is tough. The Ducks finished last in the league on the power play and in the bottom five in goals, penalty killing and 5-on-5 play. Trevor Zegras has problems staying healthy.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
Reason for opening: The team and Sullivan agreed to part ways after a third consecutive season out of the playoffs.
Recent history: They have missed the playoffs the last three seasons.
Advantages: You get to coach Sidney Crosby, who continues to thrive and broke Wayne Gretzky’s record with a 20th season averaging at least a point per game. He’s signed for two more seasons. Fellow core member Evgeni Malkin has another year left on his contract and Kris Letang has three. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust topped 30 goals this season.
Disadvantages: There’s not a lot of production from the bottom six forward group. Goaltender Tristan Jarry’s inconsistency led to time in the American Hockey League. The team ranked 29th in the league in five-on-five goal differential and had the fourth-worst goals-against average.
4. Boston Bruins
Reason for opening: Jim Montgomery was fired in November and Joe Sacco finished up the season as interim coach.
Recent history: The Bruins’ eight-year playoff streak ended this season.
Advantages: David Pastrnak is an elite scorer. Morgan Geekie had a breakout season. The team will be better when injured defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm return. GM Don Sweeney has cap room to make free agency moves.
Disadvantages: Core players were dealt at the deadline. As of now, the center depth needs improvement. Goalie Jeremy Swayman is coming off a down season. Sweeney, whose free agency moves for Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov didn’t pan out, has a year left on his contract.
5. Chicago Blackhawks
Reason for opening: Luke Richardson was fired in December. Anders Sorensen is the interim coach.
Recent history: They have one playoff appearance in the last eight seasons, none since 2020.
Advantages: Connor Bedard is a generational player and will keep getting better. Ryan Donato scored 31 goals this season. Trade deadline acquisition Spencer Knight is a potential franchise goalie. The team will draft high again in 2025.
Disadvantages: The Blackhawks traded away a lot of veterans before winning the 2023 Bedard draft lottery and lack depth. Even with promising young players, this is a long rebuild. Donato is a free agent.
6. Philadelphia Flyers
Reason for opening: John Tortorella was fired in March and Brad Shaw was named interim coach.
Recent history: They last made the playoffs in 2020.
Advantages: Young forward Matvei Michkov is an exciting, skilled player. Forward Travis Konecny and defenseman Travis Sanheim made Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Disadvantages: They finished last in the conference so there’s a long way to go. Their goaltending is inconsistent.
7. Vancouver Canucks
Reason for opening: Tocchet turned down a new contract offer.
Recent history: They missed the playoffs this season and have made it once in the past five years.
Advantage: They won the Pacific Division title in 2023-24. Defenseman Quinn Hughes won the Norris Trophy last year and is a finalist this season.
Disadvantage: This is far from the team that won the division title. Miller was traded to New York after a dispute with Elias Pettersson. Pettersson needs to find his game again. Goaltender Thatcher Demko has injury issues. Brock Boeser is expected to leave in free agency. And according to team president Jim Rutherford, Hughes wants to play with his brothers: New Jersey’s Jack and Luke. His contract runs out in 2026.
8. Seattle Kraken
Reason for opening: Bylsma was fired in April after one season.
Recent history: They have made the playoffs once in four seasons of existence.
Advantage: Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn bring offense from the blue line. The team can build around youngsters Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. Kaapo Kakko looked good after his arrival in a trade. Joey Daccord is solid in net.
Disadvantage: Unlike the Golden Knights, this recent expansion team has had little success, outside its second season. The Kraken’s team defense ranks in the bottom third of the league. Philipp Grubauer has struggled in net.
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