NHL fans ran through the gamut of emotions on social media after the New York Rangers unveiled Mike Sullivan as their new head coach.
Sullivan replaces Peter Laviolette, who was fired after the Rangers failed to make the playoffs this season.
Sullivan, a former NHL player, was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2015 and led the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. He remains the only American-born coach to have achieved this feat.
Fans at Loggerheads Over Mike Sullivan Joining New York Rangers
Hockey fans weren’t exactly shy in expressing their opinion on social media over Sullivan’s appointment.
The 38th Head Coach in #NYR history.
Welcome (back) to Broadway, Sully! pic.twitter.com/dUhWCBPm4A
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 2, 2025
Some fans criticized the current turmoil in the Rangers’ team and their poor showing this season.
Congrats to Sully. It’s tough to win there. One time since WW2.
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) May 2, 2025
“These guys just get recycled off the coaching carousel every few years,” a fan said.
Others were happy about Sullivan being named the new head coach.
crying happy tears
— WILL WARREN HYPE TRAIN (@Zibanejad2514) May 2, 2025
“Long time coming, this is great to see. We are back baby!” One user posted.
“LET’S GOOO!! It’s official! The New York Rangers have one of the best head coach in the NHL! Mike Sullivan may be our best head coach since Mike Keenan! Now bring in John Tortorella as an assistant!” Another fan said.
“Off to a great start. Now go buy some good players,” another fan posted.
Rangers Made Announcement Days After Sullivan Left the Penguins
New York Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury announced Sullivan’s appointment on Friday, May 2.
“Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL,” Drury said via NHL.com. “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 served as head coach of the Boston Bruins (2003–06) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2015–25). With consecutive Stanley Cup wins with the Penguins, he became just the second head coach in NHL history to win the trophy in each of his first two seasons with a team.
The Penguins had a 409-255-89 record in 753 regular-season games under Sullivan. He helped Pittsburgh reach the playoffs in his first seven seasons with the team, with a 44-38 record in 82 postseason games during this time.
Sullivan also has eight years of experience as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins (2002-03), the Tampa Bay Lightning (2007–09), Rangers (2009–13), and Vancouver Canucks (2013-14).
He coached Team USA in several international hockey tournaments, including serving as head coach for the recently concluded 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s also been named the head coach for the US Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.