Sullivan was a Rangers assistant under John Tortorella from 2009 to '13, a span that included Drury's final two seasons as captain.

Drury, who was given a multi-year contract extension a week ago, isn't likely to get a fourth coaching hire if it doesn't.

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.