Breaking: ‘I Need Him’ Rangers spark Broadway revival with reunion under Mike Sullivan as cap space opens up

Could a reunion between Brian Dumoulin and Mike Sullivan take center stage on Broadway next season? It might not be the flashiest move the New York Rangers could make this offseason, but it’s certainly one worth considering—especially if their new head coach sees value in it.

There’s a strong connection between the two. Dumoulin’s development into a reliable NHL defenseman began when Sullivan took over as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2015-16 season. Dumoulin became a key piece on the blue line during the Penguins’ Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017 and played under Sullivan for eight seasons before joining the Seattle Kraken for the 2023-24 campaign.

While the Rangers have reportedly shown interest in Los Angeles Kings free agent defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, their current salary cap situation may not allow for such a significant signing—even if Chris Kreider is moved as expected. Dumoulin, on the other hand, presents a more affordable and dependable option for the second defensive pairing, particularly if K’Andre Miller is re-signed and elevated to play alongside Adam Fox.

 

 

New York currently has about \$8.4 million in cap space, a figure that could rise to roughly \$15 million if a Kreider trade is finalized. However, re-signing restricted free agents Will Cuylle, Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom, and Miller will eat into that.

If rumors of a Miller trade prove true, the Rangers could pivot to targeting a higher-priced player like Gavrikov to partner with Fox—assuming no top defenseman comes back in the deal—and still bring in Dumoulin to play on the second pair, possibly with Will Borgen.

Dumoulin, who turns 34 before the 2025-26 season, is coming off a contract with a \$3.15 million cap hit. Last season, he started with the Anaheim Ducks and was traded to the New Jersey Devils at the deadline for a prospect and a second-round pick. He’s logged 706 regular-season games and 86 playoff appearances over his career.

Brian Dumoulin’s first as a Devil comes in the form of an OT winner.

He’s been very solid since arriving in NJ. pic.twitter.com/WrKpTlvDdX

— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) April 16, 2025

Most importantly, Dumoulin can still contribute. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound left-shot defenseman recorded 22 points (3 goals, 19 assists) last season and continues to bring physicality and experience. It’s fair to think Sullivan would trust him more in a second-pair role than current options like Carson Soucy—who could also be on the trade block—or Urho Vaakanainen.

Brian Dumoulin ‘great person and leader’

Expect Mike Sullivan to have significant influence over roster decisions in New York. The newly hired Rangers coach already appears to have Chris Drury’s trust, as shown by Drury bringing on David Quinn as an assistant—despite firing him as head coach in 2021—at Sullivan’s urging.

Bringing in Brian Dumoulin would provide the Rangers with much-needed defensive stability. While he’s not known for offensive production—his best season was 25 points in 2022-23—he’s a proven shutdown defenseman. Last season, the Rangers often faltered defensively, struggling with Peter Laviolette’s man-to-man system and ranking fifth in the league in high-danger chances allowed, according to Clear Sight Analytics.

Dumoulin is already well-versed in Sullivan’s zone defense system, which emphasizes fast puck movement during breakouts. He’d also be a trusted presence in the locker room and a valuable voice for Sullivan.

“He played a huge role in our Stanley Cup wins. He’s a tremendous person and leader both on and off the ice… I can’t overstate what he meant to building the Penguins’ identity,” Sullivan said about Dumoulin two years ago.

Brian Dumoulin still ‘thrives in the playoffs’

When Dumoulin joined the Devils on March 6, New Jersey’s defensive corps was badly hit by injuries. Dougie Hamilton reentered the lineup just one game before their opening-round playoff matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, and Jonas Siegenthaler made his return midway through the series.

 

 

Luke Hughes, Johnny Kovacevic, and Brenden Dillon were all injured during the series against Carolina and didn’t return, leaving Dumoulin as the lone dependable presence on the blue line.

Dumoulin stepped up significantly, averaging 29 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time during the series, which the Devils dropped in five games. Two of the matchups went to double overtime, with Dumoulin logging over 36 minutes in each.

“I think he proved to the hockey world that he’s built for the playoffs — he elevates his game on that stage,” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald said in his end-of-season media session. “There were so many moments I found myself thinking, ‘Thank God we made that deal,’ because of how much he contributed to our team’s growth, belief, and playoff push.”