Rangers Mailbag, Part 1: What Should New York Do With Chris Kreider, and Who Might Mike Sullivan Add to His Staff?

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Welcome to Part 1 of our New York Rangers mailbag, where your burning questions get the attention they deserve. The Blueshirts just wrapped up a season that fell short of Stanley Cup expectations, and now all eyes turn to the offseason — one that could shape the franchise for years to come.

We’re kicking things off with two of the most talked-about storylines: what the team should do with veteran forward Chris Kreider, and which assistants might join new head coach Mike Sullivan on the bench.

Let’s dive in.

What should the Rangers do with Chris Kreider?

Ah, the Kreider question. It’s a great one, and not as simple as it might seem.

The Case for Keeping Him

Chris Kreider has been a cornerstone of the Rangers for more than a decade. Drafted in 2009, he’s been the heartbeat of the team through two separate eras — the Henrik Lundqvist-led runs of the 2010s and the Igor Shesterkin-Artemi Panarin phase of today.

In the 2024–25 season, Kreider tallied 29 goals and 20 assists, continuing his reputation as one of the NHL’s best net-front scorers. He’s an elite power-play threat, a locker room leader, and a tone-setter who plays physically and shows up in big moments.

Kreider is also a fan favorite, a homegrown Ranger who bleeds blue. There’s undeniable value in loyalty, especially in a city like New York.

But here’s the rub: he’s 34 years old, carries a $6.5 million cap hit through 2026–27, and is part of a core that hasn’t delivered a Stanley Cup. At what point does sentimentality become a liability?

The Case for Trading Him

It’s not about whether Kreider is still good — it’s about where he fits in the team’s long-term puzzle.

With rising stars like Will Cuylle, Brennan Othmann, and Gabe Perreault ready for larger roles, Kreider may become a blocker in the lineup, especially in a salary cap era where younger (and cheaper) options matter.

The Rangers desperately need cap space if they want to improve the roster, particularly down the middle. Moving Kreider, or even retaining some salary to deal him, could open space for a second-line center or depth defenseman — both of which the team sorely lacked in the playoffs.

There’s also the “sell high” argument. Kreider’s value hasn’t tanked. Several contending teams — think Colorado, Edmonton, or Carolina — could use a veteran scorer with playoff experience and physicality.

The No-Move Clause Problem

Here’s the catch: Kreider has a full no-move clause through the 2025–26 season. He’s in total control of his future. He can’t be waived. He can’t be sent to Hartford. He can’t even be exposed in an expansion draft (not that one is coming soon).

So even if the Rangers wanted to trade him, it would require mutual cooperation and, likely, a gentle exit strategy.

Potential Middle Ground: A Modified Role or Future Buyout?

There’s also the possibility of a middle-ground solution:

• A reduced role: Kreider could take third-line minutes and focus on power-play opportunities, allowing younger wingers to develop on the top six.
• Future buyout: While not ideal, the Rangers could consider a buyout in 2026 if the team regresses and his play dips.

Final Take: Keep, But Shift His Role

Unless Kreider wants out, the most realistic option is to keep him — but redefine his role. Let him anchor the bottom six and mentor younger wingers. Give him power-play time but protect him from high-speed, high-minute matchups that tax his legs.

The Rangers owe it to Kreider to let him go out on his terms — but not at the expense of the next generation.

Who Might Mike Sullivan Add to His Coaching Staff?

Now let’s get to one of the most exciting developments in recent Rangers history: the hiring of Mike Sullivan, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The move signals a desire for more structure, intensity, and playoff composure. But no head coach operates alone. Who joins Sullivan on the bench will be critical to the team’s transformation.

Let’s break down the likeliest candidates.

Familiar Faces: Could He Bring Penguins Staffers?

Sullivan worked with a consistent staff in Pittsburgh, most notably:

• Todd Reirden (Associate Coach, Defense) – Reirden is respected for his power play and blue-line development. He helped guide Kris Letang and John Carlson (in Washington) to All-Star campaigns.
• Mike Vellucci (Assistant Coach, Forwards & PK) – A former AHL coach of the year who emphasizes physicality and transition play.

If Reirden or Vellucci don’t return to Pittsburgh under a new regime, they could be top targets for Sullivan in New York.

Development-Focused Assistants

One knock on the Gerard Gallant/Peter Laviolette eras was player development. Prospects like Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafrenière have stagnated at times. Sullivan’s staff could include names like:

• Jay Leach – A defense-first mind who worked with the Seattle Kraken and has connections to Sullivan from the Boston Bruins organization.
• Sheldon Keefe – If let go by Toronto, Keefe could take a year as a high-level assistant while awaiting another head coaching role.
• Derek Clancey – A longtime Sullivan confidant now in Vancouver’s front office, he could return in an advisory or assistant GM capacity.

Internal Candidates or Rangers Alumni?

Sullivan may also choose to retain or elevate internal voices who understand the locker room dynamic.

• Michael Peca – Known for his faceoff expertise and penalty kill work, Peca is popular with players and could stay on.
• Dan Girardi – The fan-favorite former Ranger has expressed interest in coaching and could be groomed for a bench role.

Don’t rule out a wild-card reunion with Mark Messier in a development or culture-shaping role — though not likely as a full-time assistant.

The Wild Cards

If Sullivan wants to make a bigger statement, he could explore veteran names with NHL head coaching experience, such as:

• Rick Tocchet (currently in Vancouver, unlikely but respected)
• John Hynes (Minnesota Wild, if available)
• David Quinn (former Rangers head coach, possible advisor)

All of this will depend on who’s available and whether Sullivan wants to surround himself with loyalists, development specialists, or strategic Xs and Os minds.

What Kind of Staff Does Sullivan Want?

Based on his time in Pittsburgh, Sullivan prefers:

• Tactical precision over rah-rah motivation
• Clear role delegation (defensive coach, power play coach, goalie development coach)
• Strong communication lines with general managers and player development staff

He’s also open to young minds, such as analytics-based coaches or recently retired players with fresh locker room credibility.

What It All Means

This offseason marks a turning point for the Rangers. Sullivan’s hire is a declaration: the window to win is now. Chris Kreider’s situation must be handled delicately — and intelligently. At the same time, the assistant coaching hires will reveal just how aggressive Sullivan and GM Chris Drury are willing to be in reshaping the identity of the team.

The next few weeks will be crucial. Expect movement around the NHL Draft and Free Agency on July 1.