There was no purpose to delay, no purpose to have a Gerard Gallant 2.0-type state of affairs.
There was little question Peter Laviolette needed to be relieved of his Rangers head-coaching duties, after the second-year bench boss oversaw one of many steepest downfalls from season to season in NHL historical past.
The Rangers made it official Saturday afternoon to keep away from trotting out Laviolette on break-up day Monday to face the scrutiny — not like Gallant, who was canned three days after fielding questions following the staff’s first-round exit two years in the past.
It’s simply as clear now because it was then {that a} contemporary begin is required.
There was no want to pull it out.
So the Rangers are on the hunt for his or her fourth coach for the reason that 2020-21 season, with Laviolette following Gallant (2021-23) and David Quinn (2018-21) out the door up to now 4 years.
Affiliate head coach Phil Housley was additionally fired, however assistant coaches Dan Muse and Michael Peca could have the prospect to interview for the subsequent teaching employees, in keeping with a supply.
“Leading into the season, given the success we had the last few years, we had high expectations. Quite simply, we fell short across the board,” president and basic supervisor Chris Drury stated on a convention name Saturday. “No person right here takes it frivolously. We all know our followers are pissed off, and so they deserve a greater season than this. It begins with me. I must do a greater job, and provides the employees and gamers the chance to succeed.
“And while ultimately I made the decision a new voice was needed behind the bench, everyone here — players, management, staff — need to take ownership of this season and will be having direct, honest conversations during exit meetings on Monday about what our expectations are for the summer and moving forward, getting ready for next season.”
The Blueshirts turned the sixth staff to rent and fireplace Laviolette, who completed his New York tenure with a regular-season report of 94-59-11 and a 10-5-1 playoff report.
Every thing appeared to go proper in Laviolette’s first season with the Rangers.
Not solely did the staff set franchise information for wins (55) and factors (114) in a single season, however the membership gained the Presidents’ Trophy and got here two wins away from a Stanley Cup Ultimate berth for the second time in three seasons, falling within the convention ultimate to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Panthers.
The Rangers additionally led all the NHL in comeback victories (28) below Laviolette in 2023-24.
He turned the primary head coach in NHL historical past to information six totally different groups to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Then the whole lot appeared to go flawed this season for the Rangers, who took an amazing step again in all aspects of their sport and missed the postseason for the primary time in 4 years.
Drury was requested if the staff had a tradition subject, in regards to the multitude of gamers who expressed their frustrations this season and what he feels the staff wants.
Regardless of answering all the aforementioned questions with a variation of an analogous response — that he’ll be evaluating the whole lot — Drury did say he was vast open going into this teaching search.
“I’m not going at this with any preset dispositions,” he stated. “If it’s a first-time coach and it’s the best fit, great. As far as what the team needs, again, we’re just trying to find the best fit we can to do what we need to do. … We’re looking at a lot of different scenarios and a lot of different candidates.”
As has grow to be customary throughout Drury’s tenure, the Zoom name was minimize off at 11 minutes, with a number of beat writers nonetheless elevating their digital fingers with questions.
Drury declined to disclose his personal conversations with proprietor James Dolan on the standing of his job safety, however assured his focus is on doing what he can to make the Rangers group higher.
It has been anticipated that Drury would stay, although his seat can solely develop hotter from right here.
“We’re obviously all frustrated and disappointed with how things ended and not being in the playoffs,” Drury stated. “My focus is on doing everything I can to make sure we’re a playoff team next year.”
