Mike Sullivan coached the Pittsburgh Penguins for 10 long years and won two Stanley Cups in the process, cementing himself as one of the greatest coaches in Penguins history. 

We all know the respect Sidney Crosby has for Sullivan, but his partner in crime, Evgeni Malkin, also developed a deep appreciation for his former coach over the years. 

Malkin got to know Sullivan very well through his tenure in Pittsburgh, and what he noticed most about the 57-year-old coach was his tireless work ethic and overall care for his team.

“We know [Mike Sullivan] cares about the team. He cares about every player. 6 or 7am every morning, he’s in the office, he’s watching video and talking to other coaches,” Malkin said of Sullivan. “He’s trying to control everything, he loves hockey. He deserves everything.”

The New York Rangers signed Sullivan to a five-year, $32.5 million contract, the richest deal for a coach in NHL history, that’s how much faith the organization has in him. 

For years, Sullivan has been able to manage big-time stars, including Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang, while he has all of the accolades to back up his success. 

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To see a strong endorsement of Sullivan from the likes of Malkin should tell you all you need to know about Sullivan.