NHL coaching shuffle: nine teams hire new coaches, led by Sullivan's Rangers

Nine NHL teams have a new head coach this offseason, reflecting a broad coaching overhaul around the league. The biggest splash came in New York, where Mike Sullivan left Pittsburgh after nearly a decade behind the bench to take the helm of the Rangers, an Original Six club that missed the playoffs last season but remains stocked with talent. Sullivan has guided teams to multiple championships and has experience with high-profile talent, including Sidney Crosby. He was selected by USA Hockey to lead the United States at the Milan Olympics, underscoring his standing in the sport. Starting this journey with the Rangers, Sullivan said he was eager but contemplative about channeling emotion into a new setting. “This is a new challenge for me,” he said. “It’s hard for me to express in words how excited I am about this challenge and about this opportunity.” Sullivan is among nine coaches taking on fresh responsibilities this offseason, signaling a league-wide push for leadership with a proven track record of success.

A round of trades and introductions followed, as several franchises brought in established coaches to reshape rosters and systems. Joel Quenneville is back in the league with Anaheim, four years after resigning from Florida in the wake of an investigation into Chicago’s 2010 sexual assault allegations. At his introductory news conference, Quenneville addressed skeptics directly, saying he understands questions about his return and will “demonstrate (by) my actions that I am a man of character.” The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup three times with Quenneville at the helm, a fact that speaks to his enduring reputation in the league. Sam Colangelo, a winger for Anaheim, welcomed the hire, saying, “Just to have a voice like that behind the bench guiding and leading our team, we got a good mix of some veterans and some young guys, so I think it’s a great hire and I’m really, really excited to play for him.”

Tocchet’s return to Philadelphia was described as a homecoming for a coach who played more than 700 games in orange and black. He arrived after not renewing his contract in Vancouver, a move that left a void for the Canucks as they look to keep captain Quinn Hughes beyond his 2027 contract. “Him being back in Philly and wanting to be there and picking us, his excitement for where we’re headed, I think that excites us as a team and kind of the growth that we’re about to take,” defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “He’s already a step ahead. He already knows the organization, the city, the fans and so I think that’s going benefit us moving forward.”

Dallas also sought a fresh perspective, dismissing Peter DeBoer after three straight trips to the West final. The Stars turned to Glen Gulutzan, who has spent the past seven seasons as an assistant in Edmonton, where he ran the power play and drew praise from Connor McDavid for his communication and approach. “You never want to see anyone lose their job,” goaltender Jake Oettinger said. “It’s a tough business and with how good we’ve been the last three years, it’s tough. … Looking forward to getting a fresh start.” Gulutzan’s hiring adds a veteran voice to a franchise that values structure and competitiveness on every shift.

In Boston, the Bruins welcomed Sturm to the bench after a long wait for stability behind the bench. Bedard, the NHL’s top pick in 2023 who is navigating a franchise rebuild around a young core, commented on the moment. “This is the time,” Sturm said. “Timing is everything. And I couldn’t end up in a better spot than Boston.” The presence of Bedard and a strong supporting cast has him optimistic about what this season could look like with a steady, experienced hand guiding the team.

The Chicago Blackhawks also prioritized continuity and accountability, naming Blashill to lead the club. Bedard spoke again on the move, saying, “We’re excited to have him. He’s thrilled to be with us. He’s showing a ton of excitement.” The hire signals a commitment to developing a young core while leveraging Blashill’s track record of turning teams around through disciplined, player-focused leadership.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh moved to a new era behind the bench with Muse at the helm. Muse, who had been an assistant under former Rangers coach Peter Laviolette, takes over a Penguins program that remains anchored by veteran stars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, even as a youth movement begins to take hold. Crosby, who has long spoken about the importance of a coaching staff that can grow with the players, noted that Muse has already begun to make a strong impression. “Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are still around but a youth movement is coming,” the notes say, and Muse’s work ethic has drawn attention from the room. Letang, in particular, remarked on Muse’s preparation, recounting a moment when Muse stayed late at the rink to work on game-planning. “I came and grabbed dinner here at the rink,” Letang said. “When I left, I think it was 8 o’clock and he was still on his computer working on some stuff. So there you go. You see the passion that he has for the game and trying to work on every little detail to make us better and improve every single guy out there.”

In Vancouver, Tocchet’s departure left the Canucks seeking a new coach to stabilize a team aiming to keep Quinn Hughes under contract beyond 2027. Hughes acknowledged that any transition will bring challenges, but he also stressed the importance of a leader who understands the city, the fans and the organization. “It’s different being a head coach,” Hughes said. “I’m sure there’s going to be challenges as a first-year head coach that he’s going face, just like anyone else would. But I think he’s prepared for it.”

The coaching shakeup represents a concerted effort across the league to blend experience with a willingness to adapt to younger, more dynamic rosters. It also reflects teams prioritizing relationships, detail-oriented game planning and a clear, communicative approach. Sullivan’s initial steps in New York have already focused on building personal connections with players over the summer, a signal of how new leadership may shape the Rangers’ culture in ways that translate to on-ice performance. Defenseman Carson Soucy praised Sullivan’s “pedigree” and his intensity and attention to detail, underscoring the expectation that the new Rangers coach will push for victory through discipline and accountability.

As the season approaches, teams will be placing a premium on a coach’s ability to get the most from a mix of veteran leaders and young players. The nine new coaches enter a landscape where expectations are high and scrutiny is constant, with each franchise hoping that a fresh voice behind the bench can unlock the potential that exists within their rosters. The league will be watching closely as the coaches implement their systems, establish trust, and guide their teams through the demanding grind of a 82-game schedule and the pursuit of the playoffs in a sport defined by its intensity, nuance and teamwork.