NYR Training Camp: Mike Sullivan Media Availability | September 20, 2025

NYR Training Camp: Mike Sullivan Media Availability | September 20, 2025

We’re trying to establish a game um that is responsible and um sets us up for success. And there’s aspects of the game and a lot of it is decision making and situational play um that can either enhance that or take away from it. The stuff that takes away from it is what we’re talking about. And so we try to define that for the guys. You know, I think one of my most important responsibilities as the coach is to define an identity uh for this group. In other words, what what does Rangers hockey look like? What do we want it to look like when we’re at it when we’re at our best? And so we’ve tried to define that for them. And now it’s now it’s our job to go out and try to work at that and become the team that that um you know that we think we’re capable of becoming. Um but there are there are aspects of the game uh managing the puck appropriately. um you know changing at the right times, knowing what your responsibilities are away from the puck if we don’t have it, whether it be off of a face off or a neutral zone for check or a rush coverage or things of that nature. It’s things that uh I think don’t require a lot of talent that we want that we want to be good at all the time. You know, it’s things that maybe are easy to do but easier not to do. And so that that’s what we’re that’s what we’re trying to define and and it it adds up to that phrase. The the puck management stuff. I mean, I know you haven’t been here, but it does seem like there’s a lot of guys here that that’s something it’s come up a lot repeatedly in the past where there’ll be stretches where it seems like the puck management is pretty clean and they cut down on the turnovers and then it kind of rears its head eventually. So what what is your philosophy I guess on on what what needs to happen to to kind of get that out of Yeah, it’s a it’s a great question because you know my experience has been that the more talented players that you coach uh that becomes more of a prevalent discussion. And so you know and my philosophy has always been that we don’t want to take the sticks out of our best players hands. I think if we did that um we don’t allow them the opportunity to do what they do. That’s what separates them from others. So why would I create an environment where they are um reluctant to act on their instincts? That’s how I feel. But having said that, there’s inherent risk in playmaking, right? And so I think my job and I’ve had these conversations with our guys already. My job is to um is to define the line in the sand. You know, we we don’t want to play reckless hockey. We want them to act on their instincts. We want them to play a game with confidence. Um but there’s a fine line. You know, we we don’t want to play a reckless game because it’s hard to win that way. It’s my job, I think, to define that line on where that game starts to become reckless. And so, you know, as I said, there’s inherent risk in playmaking. You know, when our guys are going to try to make plays, they’re going to turn it over sometimes. Um, some are acceptable, others are not, and we’ll define that. And that’s the line that I’m talking about. I’m curious with when you took this job, you I mean you were in Pittsburgh for a long time and when you got that job it was in the middle of the season. This you had like kind of the full offseason to prepare. How much did you watch of last year’s of this? A fair amount. Yeah. Yeah. A fair amount. And then having played in the same division for the last 10 years, you know, I feel like, you know, some of the guys that have been here for a long time, the established players, I feel like I’ve got a pretty good grasp on their games. you know, when I was watching film after I took this job, it was really about starting to watch the other guys that I’m not as familiar with and uh and trying to gain a better grasp of, you know, what what these guys are all about and what their strengths are and how potentially we might utilize them moving forward. Your preseason starts tomorrow, obviously. Um, what what do you need to get out of these preseason games? Presumably, you’re not gonna send your A line up tomorrow, but what do you need to see in this first preseason game from from whatever guys might be in the bubble or guys? So, I think I I think the objective of and every coach in the league will probably say the same thing, right? The the objectives of training camp for me is it’s a parallel objective, right? We want to provide an opportunity uh for players that are challenging for a roster spot. uh we want to provide an opportunity for those guys to show what they can do and and why they’re deserving of making the New York Rangers. At the same side of the coin, the other track or the other objective is we have to get the group ready for game one. So, there’s always going to be those two parallel objectives that we’re trying to balance. And so, we’re trying to put players in positions where they can play to their strengths. So, some of these guys that are challenging for roles on the team, um, we’ll try to give them an opportunity to play those types of roles in the exhibition season. Um, and at the same time, we’re trying to get the group ready for game one. you know, when you look at the amount of practices that we have between now and um opening night, if you take away the game days, we’re down to single-digit practices. And so, it’s not like it may seem like it’s it’s a long time, but it really isn’t. So, you know, we’re going to, you know, we’re going to start um pairing down the group. Um, you know, the first few days were we’re three teams. Um, you know, now we’ll break down to two teams. Um, after tomorrow’s exhibition game and and then we’ll go from there and and we’ll start to continue to implement some of the team concept that we’ve started already. So, those are the objectives of of training camp. I think around the league is is we’re trying to give guys an opportunity to show what they can do to challenge for a roster spot and we’re trying to get the team ready for game one. Okay. How much how much uh work do your key guys need? Like for instance, your goalies and like how many, you know, games or periods or whatever do they need to to get ready? Yeah, we’ll we’ll talk that through. We already have. We’ll we’ll talk that through with with some of our players. Um, and you know, and we’ll give them what we think is sufficient uh games that we think is ideal for them to set them up for success. If you want my opinion, um, I I like to see our the the established veteran players get into three games in a perfect world. if we can get them in three games, you know, maybe one of the games we mix the groups and and give them a chance to play with some of the younger kids and some of the guys that are challenging for spots. Uh and then as we get closer towards the end of camp, we start to work them into combinations that we we might potentially see for game one of opening night. with Conor Sherry. What was um I guess kind of the process over the summer like conversations you had with him um I guess making him feel comfortable being on a PTO rather than having a deal. And what does he I guess need to do to earn a contract? Um well I obviously I have familiarity with Connor. He played for me in Pittsburgh. You know he was on the two Stanley Cup teams that we won uh in in Pittsburgh and he was a big part of those teams. Um, you know, I think Connor just needs to bring the game that that that he’s capable of bringing, you know, and when I think Connor’s at his best, he’s a terrific puck pursuit guy. Uh, he’s a dog on a bone on the puck in the offensive zone. He knocks a lot of pucks down. He’s got a great stick. He’s brave as an undersized guy. He’ll go into traffic. He’ll play in traffic. He’ll go to the net. And he has the ability to finish. Um, you know, he scored 20 plus goals for me in Pittsburgh. He scored 20 plus goals in Washington. Um, you know, he’s when he’s been given an opportunity, he’s produced. And so, um, you know, I think he’s a guy that could potentially add those elements to our team. Uh, he’s quick, he’s elusive, um, and he and he’s, you know, he has a conscientious game. He’s he’s a decent player away from the puck. obviously very different points in their career, but do you see any similarities between him and Brett Barard? Um, I’m trying to learn Brett’s game a little bit a little bit more. Um, what I will tell you is is that, you know, what I have noticed is that Brett brings a lot of energy. You know, he’s a he’s a buzzsaw out there on the ice and so he’s uh he’s got a good motor and I think they’re similar in that regard. um you know the other elements I think will you know I’ll watch and see but um but I right away I you know you can see the energy that Brett brings to the table and and you know his motor and his ability to get after pucks and um things of that nature. Ask about um what what were your impressions of him as an opposing coach and how if at all might those have changed now that you know you’re his coach? Uh my impressions of him are probably the same impressions that you have. You know, I mean I I think it’s pretty clear on what he brings to the table. You know, he’s a big strong guy. He’s an intimidating presence. He sticks up for his teammates. Um you know, he’s tough as nails. Um you know, we know all that about him, you know. Um I think what I’ve learned being his coach is um is number one he’s a terrific person. Um and his enthusiasm for the game. You know he loves to play, loves to be on the ice. He’s an enthusiastic learner which is what the types of players that we like to have. Um you know he’s eager to learn and you know he’s um he wants to engage in hockey talk all the time. And so, um, that’s what I’ve learned since I’ve been his coach that I didn’t know obviously when you’re when you’re coaching against them. Is there any specific reason why you have Lava Perau and Bara on the same line and what have you seen from the MS line together so far? Um, are there any specific reason? Um, I mean, there are reasons why we put these guys together. You know, we’re trying to see what, you know, what they’re capable of. Um, you know, I think Loba is a guy that that we think uh potentially could, you know, develop into a real solid two-way center iceman. You know, he’s um he’s got an NHL body. He’s, you know, he’s he’s strong. Um he skates well, so he’s got he brings good speed and um and from what I’ve seen to this point, he has a two-way game. you know, the he’s he has some offense to him. Um he also has the ability to defend, you know, you know, Perau obviously is a talented player with great offensive instincts. Um and so he has the ability to make plays. Uh so that that was part of that was part of it when we put when we put that combination together, you know. Um but as I said to you guys, I wouldn’t read too much into those things. We’ll we’ll probably change those

New York Rangers Head Coach Mike Sullivan discusses his objectives of Training Camp and forward Matt Rempe’s play following the third day of Training Camp on September 20, 2025.

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