In introducing Mike Sullivan as the 38th head coach in franchise history Thursday, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury acknowledged in his opening remarks his immediate pursuit of the veteran coach when he became available. The well-documented relationship between the two former NHL forwards presumably prompted Drury to do so.

For Mike Sullivan, the latest coach of the New York Rangers, there will be many priorities in taking over a team that missed the playoffs a season after winning the Presidents' Trophy. Foremost will be communication.

Sullivan is already at work building relationships with Rangers players, and his relationship with GM Chris Drury is clearly strong.