Peter Laviolette has been dismissed as head coach of the New York Rangers following a disappointing season that ended without a playoff berth. The decision, announced Saturday, comes after just two seasons with the team.
General Manager Chris Drury made the call less than two days after the Rangers wrapped up a season that fell well short of expectations. After reaching the Eastern Conference Final the year before, hopes were high for a Stanley Cup push. Instead, the team stumbled to an inconsistent finish, landing six points out of a playoff spot.
Along with Laviolette, assistant coach Phil Housley was also let go. Team owner James Dolan and Drury are expected to launch the search for a new head coach soon, with potential roster changes likely in the near future.
“Today I informed Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley that we’re making a coaching change,” Drury said in a statement. “I want to thank them both and wish them and their families all the best going forward. Peter is first class all the way, both professionally and personally, and I am truly grateful for his passion and dedication to the Rangers in his time as head coach.”
Assistants Michael Peca and Dan Muse may be considered for the head coaching role, but no direction has been confirmed yet regarding the style or identity of the team’s next bench boss. Drury’s decision will indicate the franchise’s strategy going forward.
The Rangers’ collapse this season included some major shakeups. Veteran forward Barclay Goodrow was placed on waivers and claimed by the last-place San Jose Sharks in June. Later, team captain Jacob Trouba was nearly waived as well, but instead agreed to a trade to Anaheim in December. Key players like Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and K’Andre Miller underperformed, and goaltender Igor Shesterkin recorded the lowest save percentage of his NHL career.
Laviolette joined the Rangers in June 2023, marking his sixth NHL head coaching job. He previously led teams in Washington, Nashville, Philadelphia, Carolina, and the Islanders. He captured a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.
The Rangers’ move came on the same day the Anaheim Ducks parted ways with coach Greg Cronin, signaling the beginning of what may be a busy coaching carousel around the league. Teams like Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia currently have interim coaches, while Vancouver may also enter the mix if Rick Tocchet doesn’t return.
This marks the third head coach Drury has fired since becoming general manager in 2021, following the departures of David Quinn and Gerard Gallant. Drury was promoted to his current role after Dolan dismissed then-president John Davidson and GM Jeff Gorton in a surprise shakeup.