Five Former Mike Sullivan Players the Rangers Could Pursue in Free Agency
With Mike Sullivan now behind the bench at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers may look to bring in players who are already familiar with their new head coach. Known for his championship pedigree and recent stint coaching Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Sullivan has a proven track record of elevating his players’ performances.
As the Rangers head into what could be a significant offseason of roster reshaping, it makes sense to explore free agents with previous ties to Sullivan. In this first part of a two-part series, we look at five unrestricted free agents who have thrived under his leadership—and could now be potential targets for New York.
Matt Grzelcyk: A Familiar Fit
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk stands out as a strong potential addition. A product of the U.S. National Development Team—where he once played with J.T. Miller—Grzelcyk also spent time at Boston University, overlapping with Jack Eichel, who may soon become another major Rangers target.
Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round in 2012, Grzelcyk played six seasons in Boston, carving out a reputation as a mobile, puck-moving defenseman capable of contributing offensively in various roles. In many ways, he resembles a more polished version of Zac Jones—someone with the same tools but who received the development and playing time necessary to thrive at the NHL level.
One potential red flag from the Rangers’ perspective is his size. At 5-foot-9, Grzelcyk isn’t a physically imposing presence, which mirrors the concerns already present with Jones. While he’s not devoid of grit, his stature doesn’t exactly align with the Rangers’ recent trend toward adding size on the blue line. That said, given the choice between a 5-foot-9 Grzelcyk and a 6-foot-5 Carson Soucy, some would argue Grzelcyk’s skill and skating easily outweigh any size disadvantage.
Although his play slipped toward the end of his Boston tenure, he rebounded nicely in Pittsburgh last season under Sullivan, posting close to half a point per game. That resurgence could make him a prime candidate for the Rangers—especially since he’s already succeeded in Sullivan’s system.
Grzelcyk could potentially slot into a top-four role, even alongside Adam Fox, if the price is right. With few elite defensemen available in free agency beyond names like Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov, Grzelcyk might actually represent one of the most viable and affordable options for New York.
Leave a Reply