The New York Rangers are undergoing their second coaching search in three years, marking a troubling trend of instability. Once a model of consistency with just three head coaches from 2005-06 to 2017-18, they now face their fourth coach in six seasons after dismissing Peter Laviolette. This decision highlights the struggles and expectations within the franchise, particularly after last season's disappointing playoff absence despite having the best record at one point. President-GM Chris Drury's role in this decision emphasizes his leadership amidst the organizationâs ongoing challenges.
This is a sad day for the Rangers organization. Conducting a second coaching search within three years and the third over the past five off-seasons represents an admission of guilt from the hierarchy, past or present.
Successful franchises are models of stability. The Rangers once were that. From the dawn of the hard-cap era in 2005-06 through the 2017-18 season, the club had just three head coaches.
Next man up will be the fourth man behind the New York bench across six seasons - following David Quinn, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette, the latter dismissed Saturday by president-GM Chris Drury after failing to make the playoffs.
Drury's authority and status within the organization was implicitly confirmed when he was permitted to make that decision before holding a press briefing during which he said, 'It starts with me.'
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