New York Rangers head coach, Gerard Gallant, has resigned after just one season with the team. The Rangers hired Gallant in June 2021, and he led the team to a 41-29-8 record, which resulted in a playoff appearance. However, the Rangers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Gallant’s departure has left the team without a head coach, and there are rumors circulating about who could replace him.
Possible Replacements for Gallant
The New York Rangers are in need of a new head coach, and several names have been mentioned as possible replacements for Gallant. One of the most prominent names is Joel Quenneville, a former Stanley Cup-winning coach with the Chicago Blackhawks. However, the Rangers would need to petition the NHL in order to hire him, as Quenneville resigned from the Florida Panthers in October 2021 due to a report detailing how the Blackhawks mishandled allegations of sexual abuse during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run. Quenneville must gain approval from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman before taking another NHL job.
Other possible replacements for Gallant include current Rangers assistant coaches Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley. The Rangers have not made a decision yet on whether they will promote one of these coaches to the head coaching position.
Gallant’s Coaching History
Gallant has had a long coaching career in the NHL, with previous stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. He led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season in 2017-2018. However, he was fired midway through the 2019-2020 season after a four-game losing streak.
Impact on the Rangers
Gallant’s departure comes as a surprise to many, as he was only with the Rangers for one season. However, his departure gives the team an opportunity to evaluate their coaching staff and make changes if necessary. The Rangers have a young and talented team, and they will need a strong leader behind the bench to guide them to success in the coming seasons.
Final Thoughts
The New York Rangers are in a period of transition, with a new head coach needed and several key players set to become free agents in the coming offseason. The team has the potential to be a contender in the Eastern Conference, but they will need to make the right decisions in terms of coaching and player personnel in order to achieve that goal. Time will tell who the Rangers will hire as their next head coach and what impact that person will have on the team’s success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is Gerard Gallant and what are his previous coaching experiences?
Gerard Gallant is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current coach. He has previously served as the head coach for Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights before joining New York Rangers. He led Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. -
Who are Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley, and what is their role with the New York Rangers?
Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley are assistant coaches for the New York Rangers under the head coach Gerard Gallant. As of the latest news, it is not yet confirmed whether they will continue to serve as assistant coaches under the new head coach or not. -
Who is Joel Quenneville and why is he in the news related to the New York Rangers?
Joel Quenneville is a Canadian former ice hockey player and current coach who has won three Stanley Cups as a head coach. He was previously the head coach of the Florida Panthers but resigned in 2021 due to the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal. There have been speculations that New York Rangers are interested in hiring him as their new head coach, but they would need to petition the NHL and get approval from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to do so. -
What is the sexual assault scandal related to Joel Quenneville and the Chicago Blackhawks?
During the 2010 Stanley Cup run of the Chicago Blackhawks, an assistant coach sexually assaulted a player, and the team allegedly mishandled the situation by not reporting it to the authorities. Joel Quenneville was the head coach of the team at that time. In 2021, when Quenneville was the head coach of the Florida Panthers, a report came out detailing the incident, and he resigned after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
