If Mike Sullivan wants to know how to coach a winning hockey club, all he has to do is watch the Dallas-Winnipeg second round playoff.

Specifically, focus on Peter DeBoer of the Stars. He wins because he's a tough coach and makes no bones about it. (He's also leading his playoffs three games to one.)

"I call it HARD-COACHING," says DeBoer, "and my players are willing to accept hard-coaching. I don't have to sugar coat with them; which is nice."

What we learned this past season is that the Rangers, collectively, are a sensitive group. Hard-coaching might not have worked for them; but we'll never know.

The Challenges Officially Begin For Michael Sullivan The first Judgement Day for Mike Sullivan won't be until he convenes the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a> training camp in September.

As Joe (MSG Networks) Micheletti pointed out the other day, the Rangers allowed the exits of Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba to depress them as if B and J had been sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island. 

One might say that the Blueshirt Millionaires were being childish to eternally brood about a normal hockey move – a simple trade.

"Hurt feelings?" DeBoer wonders out loud, "I don't have to worry about that with our group. It starts with the leadership guys – like my captain Jamie Benn."

Did ya hear that, Sully? He said "captain." Egad! What a cad – the Rangers don't even have a captain. (Hint, hint!)

DeBoer: "If Jamie Benn is the first guy to accept criticism, everyone else falls in line. That's because it's constructive criticism. We want to fix what's wrong."

My buddy Alex Shibicky agrees with DeBoer and The Maven. But we also know that if you have a Team Sensitive, the big-dollar guys could kill a coach who wants to be a tough guy.

"I'd kill to see Sully bench a Breadman for taking a stupid penalty or for making a bad play," says one of my Ranger fan pals.

The trouble here is that if the Fat Cat isn't sitting in the corner and sulking about his benching, he's running to his agent who then calls the GM.

The GM understands but knows that the player has a "No Trade" clause, so what's the manager gonna do? Half the time – nothing.

So, how come Peter (Hard Coaching) DeBoer is able to get away with it in Dallas? How come the stars at night are big and bright over American Airlines Center?

Check out the  ultra-savvy general manager; that's how come.

Jim Nill has been the Stars boss for a dozen years. For starters, they don't come any smarter, nor tougher than Gentleman Jim. 

One can say that Dallas has a hard-manager – but with a soft touch.

And a possible Stanley Cup-winner! The Boys from Seventh Avenue should check 'em out. But, for now, try a little tenderness.