In introducing Mike Sullivan as the 38th head coach in franchise history Thursday, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury acknowledged in his opening remarks his immediate pursuit of the veteran coach when he became available. The well-documented relationship between the two former NHL forwards presumably prompted Drury to do so.

In order to fix this mess, the Rangers will need GM Chris Drury to collaborate with Mike Sullivan more than he did with previous coaches.

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury finally has his guy. Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette were always meant to be here for a good time, not a long time. Mike Sullivan is the head coach for whom Drury has been in a holding pattern ever since he became the Rangers' president and GM in 2021.