In the end, even a coach of Mike Sullivan’s stature was painfully made to realize how elites can falter sometimes. On the back of two consecutive Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017, and a franchise record for regular-season (409) and postseason wins (44), all it took were three seasons of playoff failure to make Sullivan an outcast—that, too, with two years remaining on his contract. Now, that’s not a scenario anyone could’ve imagined, isn’t it? Unfortunately, front offices can be brutal. And the NHL, cutthroat.

So, no matter how much general manager Kyle Dubas heartily acknowledges Sullivan’s “dedication…preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness”, we all know what went wrong. The head coach was simply no longer an important piece of the puzzle in Dubas’ plan for a younger roster and long-term success. This makes us think: No matter how elite a coach, are you ever safe? Well, not really. Thankfully, the former Pittsburgh Penguins coach realizes that, too. And perhaps for that same reason, he’s going back to where it all began with learning the ropes.

Smack dab in the middle of the New York Rangers mayhem—where he once served as an assistant from 2009-13 under HC John Tortorella—Sullivan’s first assignment is full of symbolism and drama: New York’s schedule has him facing off against his old team, the Penguins, on Opening Night, and then he’ll head back to Pittsburgh soon after, a story-rich reintroduction with his former peers. Amid all the coaching changes, Sullivan shared some honest thoughts directed at his colleagues and his younger self.

According to a post from the NHL Coaches’ Association on X on July 16, a question read, “What advice would you give a younger you?” To this, the 57-year-old coach responded, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and to make sure that you have a certain resilience and a resolve about you because this game is going to challenge you. It’s not easy. There’s only one team that’s happy every year at the end of the season and the coaching profession is going to challenge you in so many ways. There are certain things that you can control. There are a lot of things you can’t.”

He mentioned, “Sometimes I think as young coaches and I did this myself, we focus a lot on the things that we can’t control and I think that’s the evolution of the coach…is you…start to gain a clearer understanding of those things and you don’t allow those things to rent space in your brain and that would probably be my advice to my younger self.”

Mike Sullivan is a coach who reached the pinnacle of success in Pittsburgh but faced dismissal due to a drop in performance. However, he made a swift comeback in New York with the league’s most lucrative coaching contract. His words really hit home: to succeed in the tough world of hockey, it’s all about building mental toughness, staying disciplined, and having a clear purpose. It’s easy to get thrown off by things we can’t control, but focusing on these qualities makes all the difference.

As he starts this new journey in Manhattan, everyone will be watching to see how Sullivan’s championship experience and thoughtful approach help rebuild a Rangers team that’s eager to get back to the playoffs. How does the Rangers’ front office feel about their latest hire?

Mike Sullivan’s hiring was just smooth work

Chris Drury, the Rangers’ president and general manager, shared his thoughts on the quick hiring of Mike Sullivan, saying, “The second Mike was available, we quickly and aggressively pursued him.” He also pointed out Mike Sullivan’s championship experience, saying, “Mike Sullivan has established himself as one of the premier head coaches in the NHL. 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.”

Drury talked about their long history together that goes all the way back to the 1997 World Championships. He mentioned that bringing Sullivan on board this time just felt like the right thing to do, driven by trust and their shared experiences.

The Rangers GM didn’t just see Sullivan’s hiring as a bold move; it was also about laying the groundwork for a long-term vision. Absolutely, the New York Rangers are one of the Original Six teams, and Drury really wants the best for his NHL franchise.