Hockey

“He Needs To Decompress A Bit”: Bruins Coaching Search Already Zeroing In On Mike Sullivan

Published: Apr 29, 2025, 11:00 AM
1 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025, 11:20 AM
Fact checked by:
Sergey Demidov
Head coach Mike Sullivan of the United States

Mike Sullivan parts ways with Penguins and immediately becomes the Bruins’ top target (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

On Monday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they and head coach, and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Mike Sullivan, had agreed to part ways.

According to a well-connected source, the Boston Bruins did not waste any time in working the proper channels and letting the new coaching free agent and former Bruins bench boss know that they’re interested in making him their head coach once again.

“They’ve already reached out on [Sullivan], but as you might expect, he needs to decompress a bit,” the source told RG on Monday night. “I was told, though, he has immediately moved straight to the top of their list and they would love to start talking with him ASAP! If he’s ready, I would think they’re talking to each other by Wednesday. …Friday at the latest."

"He’s not just at the top of their list now; he’s the most coveted coach out there, and he’s likely about to become the highest-paid coach in the NHL. You know the Rangers are in on him and they’ll have no issues backing up the Brinks truck for him, so if the Bruins really want him, they know they need to act fast.”

Sweeney’s Wait Pays Off

Ironically, another source had informed RG over the weekend that Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was waiting on another coaching situation to be solved before he took his search to the next level and potentially closed in on a candidate.

“Sweeney is waiting for another situation to resolve itself,” this source said to RG.

The aforementioned source could not confirm whether or not that situation was Sullivan and the Penguins. However, this source was not surprised that the Bruins are about to give their best shot to bring back the Marshfield, MA native for a second go-around with the Bruins 20 years later.

“There’s been plenty of chatter since it was clear Jim Montgomery’s days were numbered in Boston that they were hoping for and waiting for this to happen with Sullivan,” the source said.

Montgomery was fired by the Bruins on Nov. 19, with Joe Sacco taking over as interim head coach.

Sullivan’s Bruins Reunion?

Sullivan began his pro coaching career in the Bruins organization as head coach of the Providence Bruins for the 2002-03 season. He helped lead the P-Bruins to a 41-17-9-4 record before being elevated to become the assistant coach of the Boston Bruins when the Bruins fired head coach Robbie Ftorek and assistant coach Jim Hughes. Sullivan was then promoted to the head coaching job in Boston that offseason. In his first season as head coach of the Bruins, Sullivan led the Original Six franchise to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

However, the Bruins were bounced by their bitter rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, in seven games in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sullivan coached one more full season for the Bruins in 2005-06, but the team missed the playoffs, and Sullivan was then fired by incoming general manager Peter Chiarelli.

Since then, Sullivan spent six seasons as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning (2007-08), New York Rangers (2009-10 to 2012-13), and one with the Vancouver Canucks in 2013-14. After spending the 2014-15 season as a player development coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, Sullivan became head coach of the Wilkes-Barre Penguins (AHL) for the 2015-16 season, and after leading the Baby Penguins to a 19-5-0-0 record, was promoted to the head coaching job for the Pittsburgh Penguins in December of 2015. Sullivan went on to lead the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. Since 2017, though, the Penguins have not won a playoff series and have not made the postseason for the past three seasons.

Besides the Bruins and Rangers, many around the NHL are speculating that the Blackhawks and Seattle Kraken will also look at Sullivan to see if there’s a fit for their head coaching vacancies.

NHL Reporter
James Murphy is a veteran sports journalist with 25 years of experience covering the NHL, NCAA and CHL, including two decades on the Boston Bruins beat. His work has appeared on NHL.com, NESN, ESPN Boston and more, and he’s made regular TV and radio appearances on NESN, ESPN, TSN and SiriusXM. A familiar face in the hockey world, Murphy has covered multiple Stanley Cup Finals, NHL drafts and playoffs, and now co-hosts The Eye Test podcast with Pierre McGuire, interviewing top NHL executives, coaches and players. He joined RG in 2024 after stints with Boston Hockey Now and LiveBarn.
Interests:
NHL

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Hockey
Interview
Beckett Sennecke Trusting Ducks’ Plan For His NHL Journey

Beckett Sennecke is coming off a dominant season and says he’s open to whatever path the Anaheim Ducks believe is best for his NHL development.

7
07/26/2025
Andrew Knoll
Andrew Knoll
Beckett Sennecke Trusting Ducks’ Plan For His NHL Journey
Hockey
Interview
Ivan Prosvetov Eyes Flames’ Starting Role, Ready For McDavid

Returning NHL goalie Ivan Prosvetov joins the Calgary Flames on a one-year deal, determined to secure the starter’s job and face star Connor McDavid.

6
07/23/2025
Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Ivan Prosvetov Eyes Flames’ Starting Role, Ready For McDavid
Hockey
Interview
Jeff Gorton, Canadiens See Serious Value in Their Goaltending

Jeff Gorton sat down with RG in an exclusive interview and discussed the present and future states of his team’s goaltending.

8
07/20/2025
James Murphy
James Murphy
Jeff Gorton, Canadiens See Serious Value in Their Goaltending
Hockey
Interview
Source: McKenna Sweepstakes Expected to Spur Earlier NHL Trade Activity

Parity stalled trades this summer, but the 2026 McKenna sweepstakes may spark early NHL sell-offs by U.S. Thanksgiving, sources say.

12
07/19/2025
Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Source: McKenna Sweepstakes Expected to Spur Earlier NHL Trade Activity
Prev
...
Next

Hockey Writers

Jim Biringer
Jim Biringer
Reporter

Jim Biringer is a seasoned sports journalist and broadcaster with more than a decade of experience covering the NHL, NFL, and college football. His work has appeared on prominent platforms including SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, The Rod Pedersen Show, and The Raw Mike Richards Show, where he is recognized for his deep sports knowledge, sharp analysis, and ability to distill complex stories with clarity. Renowned for in-depth hockey reporting, Biringer has covered multiple NHL Drafts and was on the ground for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, delivering trusted and timely insights to fans and industry insiders alike.

Bringing a broad multi-sport perspective, Biringer connects with audiences across the spectrum of sports fandom. He is the creator and host of Full Press Hockey Podcast, Final Word on Hockey, and Around Campus – The College Football Podcast, offering thoughtful breakdowns on topics ranging from NHL trade deadlines to college football playoff scenarios. Whether analyzing a New Jersey Devils power play or evaluating a quarterback battle in the SEC, he approaches every subject with precision and authority.

In addition to traditional sports coverage, Biringer has a strong background in professional wrestling. He has worked with promotions across North America, providing commentary, interviewing talent, and covering events with the same journalistic rigor that defines his broader reporting. His ability to combine wrestling storytelling with behind-the-scenes insight enhances his profile as a versatile and respected media personality.

Widely regarded as a “student of the game,” Biringer is known for his respect for athletes, dedication to factual reporting, and passion for storytelling. Whether on air, online, or reporting live from major sporting events, he consistently delivers compelling, informed, and impactful coverage shaped by years of hands-on experience.

Meet All Our Experts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.