Vancouver Canucks confirm top head coach candidate Mike Sullivan refuses to coach in the West
Photo credit: TSN
A potential head coaching candidate is reportedly no longer in the mix for the Vancouver Canucks job as General Manager Patrik Allvin and President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford continue their search for a new bench boss.
The Vancouver Canucks are set to begin their search for a fourth head coach in the last four years after Rick Tocchet left the organization on Tuesday to pursue other opportunities.
Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford are going to have quite a lengthy list of potential candidates to choose from in the weeks ahead, but it looks like there's one coach fans can cross off their list.
Jim Rutherford confirms Mike Sullivan isn't an option for Vancouver Canucks
One potential head coaching option that Vancouver Canucks fans were curious about was Mike Sullivan, who parted ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this week after nearly ten years behind the bench there.
Sullivan was behind the bench during Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford's time in Pittsburgh, so the connection is understandable, but it was confirmed on Tuesday that the ex-Penguins coach is not an option for the Vancouver Canucks.
When speaking with reporters on Tuesday after the announcement of Rick Tocchet's departure, Jim Rutherford, Vancouver's President of Hockey Operations, shared that Mike Sullivan does not want to leave the East.
"I know my good friend Mike Sullivan does not want to leave the East. He's a real good family man. I talked to him yesterday - not about coming here. Talked to him when he left Pittsburgh, and I know he wants to stay in the East." Rutherford said.
With many teams vying for the services of the two-time Stanley Cup champion, it looks like we're getting close to news on Mike Sullivan's next club.
According to Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today Sports, things are trending in the direction of Mike Sullivan being named the next head coach of the New York Rangers.
"The #NYR haven't confirmed or announced anything officially yet, but it sounds like things are getting close and very much trending toward Mike Sullivan becoming the 38th head coach in franchise history." Mercogliano said on X.
With Mike Sullivan off the board for the Vancouver Canucks, they'll turn their attention elsewhere, with Abbotsford Canucks Manny Malhotra and even former Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette potential options as the team's next head coach.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 702 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks confirm top head coach candidate Mike Sullivan refuses to coach in the West Do you think Mike Sullivan is the right choice for the New York Rangers? | ||
| Yes | 490 | 69.8 % |
| No | 212 | 30.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
