The Flyers' search for a new coach hasn’t gained much traction yet. A few names have been rumored, but a top candidate may have just become available, and it would be quite the name to get.
Earlier on Monday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Mike Sullivan parted ways. Sullivan had two years left on his contract. He was the NHL's second-longest tenured head coach, behind only Jon Cooper in Tampa Bay.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan have agreed to part ways.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 28, 2025
Details: https://t.co/9AB8bPOijI pic.twitter.com/lPeZXj3HC1
Sullivan leaves Pittsburgh as one of the franchise's best head coaches. He was the first coach in franchise history to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. He did so after becoming the head coach in December 2015, the third coach in Penguins history to win a Stanley Cup after taking over mid-season.
His 409 wins as a head coach are the most in the team's history. The Penguins made seven playoff appearances under his watch. Sullivan is also the only American-born head coach to win multiple Stanley Cups. While the Penguins are at a time in their franchise where a coaching change was needed, Sullivan did everything he could while at the helm.
Sullivan has to jump to the top of the Flyers' coaching search now that he has become available. Not including the Penguins, five other teams need a new coach. And Sullivan's service certainly won't be available for long. It's not often a coach of his caliber becomes available.
If he were to come to Philadelphia, the players would instantly understand that Briere and the organization are ready for them to take the next step. With Sullivan's pedigree, he wouldn't be there to continue a rebuild. He would be there to win.
A concern the Flyers may have is that he could be too similar to John Tortorella. The two have connections as they coached together in Tampa, Vancouver, New York, and at the 4 Nations. Sullivan has a similar personality, and Briere has said that the team may want a balance between being stern and lenient.
It's also fair to wonder what he might be able to do with a roster that doesn't have as much talent as Pittsburgh does. Could he take them to the next level with the group they have now?
Sullivan is going to get calls from other teams. The Flyers would be remiss if they weren't one of them. The worst he could say is no and you move on.