Successful NHL Coaches The Rangers Should Study

The most successful coaches in the NHL right now are do not belong to the Rangers

That, of course, is because the Blueshirts – for the moment at least – don't have one and even if they sign Mike Sullivan he'll be ranked 32nd best out of 32.

Picking out the perfect coach for a team is not easy but the Tampa Bay Lightning solved that problem a long time ago with Jon Cooper.

When the Lightning signed him on March 25, 2013 Coop had no NHL experience but had done exceptional work in the AHL. Instead of going for a retread, the Boltd gambled on Cooper and it paid off. 

"Jon has more than proved his worth," says Tampa Bay broadcaster Larry Hirsch. "The fact he's been around for more than a decade says it all for how he has adjusted with the seasons and changes in personnel."

Stanley Cup champion Paul Maurice has an even longer track record, dating back 20 years to the Hartford Whalers. Witty, insightful and wisely self-critical, Maurice walked away from the Winnipeg gig without being pushed.

"Paul instinctively knew that for the Winnipeg Jets' sake – and his sake – it was imperative to withdraw, take stock and reevaluate what works what does not," says The Old Scout. "That's what Sully will have to do if he comes to Rangers."

Right now Sullivan is the ultimate recycled retread with nothing impressive about his work but three missed playoffs in a row with the Penguins.

"Instead of Malkin and Crosby," adds The Old Scout, "his Rangers keys will be Panarin, Shesterkin, some promising kids and Fat Cats. There's nothing about what he did in Pittsburgh that suggests he'll do better on Seventh Avenue."

Chris Drury blew it when he bypassed Rangers farmhand coach Kris Knoblauch for Peter Laviolette. In case you missed it, Knoblauch took Edmonton to the Cup Final last spring and who knows? – might even do it again.

Now we wait and see whether Drury does what everyone thinks he's gonna do; hire Sullivan. If so, New York will be Retread City all over again; except that the Rangers' version inevitably will be just like Pittsburgh's. 

Ersatz!