Latest on Rangers’ head coaching search: NY reportedly ‘beginning to lean’ towards Peter Laviolette, decision could come this week
After parting ways with Gerard Gallant after just two seasons, the Rangers are once again searching for a new head coach.
Here is some of the latest reporting as the Blueshirts look to hire their 37th head coach in franchise history…
May 29, 2:15 p.m.
The Rangers are “beginning to lean” towards hiring Peter Laviolette and a decision could come as soon as this week, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“The Rangers, look, I think a lot of people are beginning to lean Peter Laviolette on this one,” Friedman said on Saturday night. “I think if it is Laviolette, we’re gonna find out next week.”
Friedman continued to discuss the Rangers and Laviolette on Monday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”
“I think, if Peter Laviolette is the Rangers’ guy, and like I said on Saturday night, I am leaning in that direction, I think we’re gonna know this week,” Friedman said.
USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano previously reported on May 22 that Laviolette was “at or near the top of the Rangers’ list” after the two sides met for an interview. Laviolette had also interviewed with the Columbus Blue Jackets for their head coaching vacancy.
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It would be Laviolette’s sixth head coaching job, as he’s previously led the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and most recently the Washington Capitals.
May 27, 1:10 p.m.
The Rangers have been granted permission by the Seattle Kraken to interview assistant coach Jay Leach for their head coaching vacancy, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and the New York Post’s Mollie Walker.
Leach, 43, has never been an NHL head coach before, but has served as David Hakstol’s assistant the past two seasons in Seattle.
He was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the fifth round of the 1998 NHL Draft, and eventually made his NHL debut during the 2005-2006 season with the Boston Bruins after a handful of years in the minors. Leach played for Boston, the Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks during his five-year career.
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May 23, 7:10 p.m.
According to Arthur Staple of the Athletic, the Rangers have interviewed Toronto Maple Leafs assistant Spencer Carbery for their head coaching vacancy.
Staple reports that Carbery is in high demand with both the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals showing interest.
Carbery was hired by the Maple Leafs as an assistant coach prior to the 2020-21 season. That year he helped turn them into the top ranked power play unit in hockey. He again ran the special teams this past season, and Toronto finished second in the NHL, scoring at a 26 percent clip.
Staple also reported last week that the Rangers have interviewed Mike Babcock and Peter Laviolette for their opening.
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May 22, 5:25 p.m.
While not all of the candidates have come out yet for the Rangers’ head coaching vacancy, more names are beginning to be connected to the job.
According to USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, one of the names he continues hearing is long-time NHL head coach Peter Laviolette. Multiple sources have told the reporter they believe Laviolette is “at or near the top of the Rangers’ list.”
Laviolette reportedly conducted an interview with the Blueshirts last week and he also met with the Columbus Blue Jackets about their opening.
If Laviolette were to land with either team this would be his sixth head coaching job in his career. He’s also spent time behind the bench for the Islanders, Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators, and Capitals.
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May 21, 11:40 a.m.
Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports that the Rangers have interviewed both Peter Laviolette and Mike Babcock in the past week.
Staple writes that Laviolette, who has coached in the division with the Islanders, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers, is considered by many to be a frontrunner for the Blueshirts job.
Babcock, meanwhile, may be a bit of a polarizing hire if he gets the job. He was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 with a number of former players speaking out about his treatment of players.
May 18, 10:30 p.m.
The Rangers have reportedly been given permission to talk with Maple Leafs assistant coach Spencer Carbery, per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
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Carbery is also believed to be speaking with the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals.
Carbery ran the Maple Leafs’ power play this past season where they finished second in the NHL, scoring at a 26 percent clip. The season before that, he turned the 16th-ranked power-play in 2020-21 and turned them into the No-1 ranked power-play in 2021-22.
May 17, 12:07 p.m.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is a former Rangers assistant and has ties to GM Chris Drury, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be coming back to the Blueshirts any time soon.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post recently spoke to Sullivan, who said that he is under contract with the Penguins and “here for the long haul.”
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An assistant coach with the Rangers from 2009-13, Sullivan led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016-17.
Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs this season for the first time since the 05-06 season, fueling speculation that Sullivan could potentially move on.
Source: Yahoo Sports
