NEW YORK, N.Y. Just days after parting ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Sullivan has been named the New York Rangers’ new head coach—and he’s already making headlines. On May 2, the Rangers signed Sullivan to a deal worth roughly $6.5 million annually, officially making him the highest-paid coach in NHL history.
The figure, confirmed on Friday, edges out the previous record of $6.25 million per year held by former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock. This marks another milestone for Sullivan, who also led all coaches in salary last season, earning $5.5 million with the Penguins.
Sullivan’s new paycheck puts him on financial par with some of the league’s top players, including Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky who backstopped his team to the 2024 Stanley Cup title.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion himself, Sullivan used his introductory press conference to underscore the need for unity and identity within the Rangers’ locker room after the team failed to make the playoffs.
“There’s plenty of talent in this group, but championships aren’t won by talent alone,” Sullivan said. “Teams win championships, and that’s what we have to become.”
The Rangers moved quickly to bring Sullivan aboard just six days after his April 28 dismissal from Pittsburgh. That speed was likely fueled by his longstanding relationship with Rangers GM Chris Drury, a former teammate from the 1997 IIHF World Championship and a recent colleague with USA Hockey at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
“The moment Mike became available, we went after him hard,” said Drury. “We’re thrilled to have him here and ready to get to work.”
Sullivan now becomes the Rangers’ third head coach in five years, a clear sign the franchise is determined to find the right fit behind the bench. His first major task will come at the NHL Draft on June 27 in Los Angeles, where he’ll help guide the team’s decision with the 12th overall pick.
