ALL THINGS HOCKEY: SULLIVAN TO RANGERS?

 

It’s open season on NHL goaltenders. If there was 

any doubt, New Jersey’s TIMO MEIER ran over

 FREDERICK ANDERSON yesterday, knocking 

the Carolina goalie into his net and out of the game 

(possibly the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs) … and 

wasn’t penalized for it … I know, I know, the refs 

checked the replay and decided Meier couldn’t help 

it … that he was hit by a Hurricanes' player from 

behind. 

Except, he wasn’t … a stick around the skates isn’t 

enough to let him off. No, Devils’ forward made 

no attempt to avoid a collision with the goalie 

owning the best save percentage (.943) in the first 

round – all teams – to date. Meier should have gotten 

something.

Believe it or not … the Montreal Canadiens have 

become hockey’s darlings because, I guess, they are 

making their first Cup appearance in more than 10 

years … That helps to explain, at least in part, why 

everyone seems to be rooting them on against the 

Washington Capitals. TV’s talking heads, most of 

them from north of the border, you can understand. 

(Whatever happened to NO CHEERING IN THE 

PRESS BOX?) … But when it carries over down on 

the ice … It says here the Canadiens lead the league 

in interference not called. And when it is (not often 

enough, given the volume of obstruction), how in the 

world can they object? … which, nevertheless, they 

always do.

Keep it up, and one of my pre-Cup choices to reach 

the playoff finals won’t. I know, I know … the 

Capitals were runaway regular-season winners in the 

East yet hardly anyone thinks they can go all the way 

… not in a conference that includes defending 

champion Florida, our No. 2 choice Tampa Bay, and 

the mighty Toronto Maple Leafs. The Caps, 

however, have been a great story. Why write The 

End so soon? … especially to a first-round opponent 

that didn’t qualify until the final regular-season game 

… Also, I think the LA Kings will come out of the 

West. If they could play every game on home ice, it 

would be a no-brainer.

Rangers’ search for a new coach, their fifth in six 

years, was said to include JOHN TORTORELLA, 

who had the job once before; RICK TOCCHET, 

who turned Vancouver into a solid, tough team and a 

Cup contender in 2023-24: career NHL assistant

 JAY LEECH, who won a couple of AHL 

championships; and DAVID CARLE, – and two-

time NCAA winner – at the University of Denver.

Updating … Tortorella, a favorite of Rangers’ owner

 JAMES DOLAN, reportedly is no longer on GM

 CHRIS DRURY’s wish list … Saturday, the 

Canucks decided not to negotiate a new contract for 

Tocchet, making him available … although he is said 

bound for the Flyers as replacement for Tortorella 

(fired) … Earle also made news yesterday when he 

withdrew from the Chicago Blackhawks’ search. 

Although Earle is considered the game’s 

latest/greatest bright young mind. People who 

“KNOW” don’t think Drury will peg his failing 

popularity in the Big Apple, and hope to come about, 

on another coach without pro experience, not since

 DAVID QUINN failed so miserably … and was let 

go by Drury during his first year on the job (2021) … 

Leech is among eight NHL assistants 

supposedly being considered, They include – are you 

ready for this? – JESSICA CAMPBELL, Kraken 

assistant and first female to be hired as NHL coach 

She made her debut this year with Seattle, which 

fired coach DAN BYLSMA after one season. 

Campbell previously worked with Bylsma on the 

Kraken’s AHL team in Concha Valley.

Yesterday morning the Penguins announced they 

were parting ways with MIKE SULLIVAN, 

winningest coach in franchise history and two-time 

Cup champion. It was said to be a mutual decision 

although Sullivan had two years remaining on his 

contract and said he intended to live up to it … 

which supposedly ended speculation he was Drury’s 

first choice … Just like that Sullivan now becomes 

odds-on favorite to replace PETER LAVIOLETTE

 (fired) in New York … although the Islanders are 

said in the mix, too..

Richmond’s ZAC JONES, an unrestricted free 

agent, says he isn’t sure whether he will re-sign with 

the Rangers. The 24 year old defenseman played 46 

games in 2024-25 after appearing in only 31 the 

previous year (both under Laviolette). In all, Jones 

was a healthy scratch in 80 games.

Until next time ...