5/19/23 | The Rangers reportedly interviewed Peter Laviolette and Mike Babcock this week. (The Athletic)
5/17/23 | 3:09 PM: Elliotte Friedman said on The Jeff Marek Show on Wednesday “I think that both Columbus and the Rangers like Laviolette. The whole Sullivan thing was a pipe dream, there was no way that was happening. I know the Rangers lust after him, but that is not happening.”
Friedman added “I believe certain people in the Rangers organization had interest in Babcock and certain didn’t.”
Ad
11:46 AM: Mike Sullivan told the NY Post that he is “under contract” with the Penguins and “here for the long haul.”
Sullivan has four-years left on his contract with the new Penguins owners reportedly considering him “their Bill Belichick. (The Athletic)
10:02 AM: On Wednesday’s 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman said of the Rangers:
- On Peter Laviolette’s situation, “I have a feeling that a guy like Peter Laviolette could be on the radar for both Columbus and the Rangers. Anything can happen here, but it sounds like Laviolette is in a really good position here between the Rangers and Columbus and we’ll see what happens.”
- On Mike Babcock, “I think when it comes to Babcock, and teams do call him to gauge his interest, I just don’t know if a high intensity environment in terms of media and attention is what is going to work there. Not everyone in the Rangers organization, I don’t think, wanted to do Babcock, but I think there were some who wanted to pursue it and I’m just not convinced that he thinks that is the right environment for him.”
- On the Penguins GM and hockey ops openings, “The other one that I heard that they may have asked to speak to and at this point in time was not granted was Ryan Martin from the Rangers…I don’t think it’s the last time we are going to hear Martin’s name.”