Breaking: Rangers about to sign Mike Sullivan to one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is an update to the story we published yesterday on former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. Read further down for full context.

UPDATE 2: ESPN insider Emily Kaplan reports that the New York Rangers are about to sign Mike Sullivan to "one of the richest coaching contracts in NHL history."

UPDATE: According to a report from New York Rangers insider Vince Mercogliano, the team is very close to hiring former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.

 Read below for our earlier report on Sullivan and on this developing story.

In case you missed the news on Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas fired long-time head coach Mike Sullivan.

In meeting with the media Dubas was asked if captain Sidney Crosby was consulted on the firing. The answer isn't exactly clear, but Dubas did confirm that he spoke with Crosby ahead of Sullivan's official hiring, characterizing their phone call as a "five minute conversation."

If you read between the lines, it reads like Crosby wasn't exactly thrilled with the news. Dubas doubled down on the fact that he "has to do what's right for the organization," even if the players don't agree with his decisions.

Are we headed into an offseason of change for the Penguins? And if so, what does that mean for the future of Crosby in Pittsburgh?

This also begs the question, what's next for Sullivan?

There are several high profile coaching vacancies around the league and NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reports that five teams have already inquired about Sullivan's interest.

From LeBrun:

The Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks are all looking to make changes behind the bench this season.

Incidentally, Canucks President Jim Rutherford announced yesterday that he had a conversation with Sullivan himself and that Sullivan and his family plan on remaining in the Eastern United States.

So... count Vancouver, Anaheim and Chicago out. He's a born and bred Boston guy... could there be something there?