NYR GM (for now) Chris Drury just announced the termination of Peter Laviolette as head coach of the Rangers. In addition, his assistant Phil Housley has been terminated. Two other assistants, Dan Muse and Michael Peca will be given a chance to interview for the the next coaching staff.
From his presser:
“Leading into the season, given the success we had the last few year, we had high expectations. Quite simply, we fell short across the board. Nobody here takes it lightly. We know our fans are frustrated and they deserve a better season than this. It starts with me. I need to do a better job and give the staff and players the opportunity 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.”
Drury on his own job security:
“I can tell you my focus is on doing what I think is right to make this organization better. We’re obviously all frustrated and disappointed with how things ended and not being in the playoffs. My focus is on doing everything I can do make sure we’re a playoff team next year.”
Is there a culture issue:
“We’re going to be looking at everything. Whether it’s the specific question you ask or other things that have come up along the way this year that we’ve already begun to look at and looked at during the year. Unfortunately, we do have extra time with not being in the playoffs to look at a lot of things this offseason and, again, try and make sure we’re back in the playoffs next year.”
On the coaching search:
“I’m not going at this with any preset dispositions. 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.”
On some players complaining about scratches:
“Again, we’re going to look at every single aspect of this. Certainly, I’m always critical of myself and trying to figure out ways to be better. And it starts with me and I will continue to do that. As far as players, and we’ve had a few this year talk about ice time or scratches, we certainly want players here who want to play and we don’t want players who are happy being scratched. I know for a fact Lavi is really big on communication and communicated to his players throughout his two years here. Where they stood and why they were out or why they were in or what their role was or wasn’t. Communication is a priority. Being a former player myself, I always liked to know where I stood and we always try to do that with players every single day.”
ADD THIS FROM 2023 FIRING OF GERARD GALLANT FOR COMPARISON
NYR President + GM Chris Drury: “I want to first thank Gerard for his work and commitment to NYR during his time as head coach. I have a ton of respect for Gerard as both a coach + person and truly appreciate everything he did for us on and off the ice these last two seasons.
“After my evaluation of the season and discussions with Gerard, we mutually came to the conclusion that a change would be beneficial for both parties. I wish he and his family all the best in the future. Our search for a new head coach will begin right away.”
Drury on the NYR coaching search: “Just looking for the right fit. Not going to limit ourselves right now to any specific style or type of coach.”
Drury on the search time frame: “Want to be as thorough as we can be. Don’t have a set date in mind as of yet; just want to get the right person, whenever that is.”
117 responses to “The Axe Falls”
So Jimmy D is eating the last year and $5M of Lavi’s contract. Couldn’t happen to a nicer person.
Pizzaboy’s salary seems to be top-secret sauce. However, Lou Lam gets $3.0M per out at the racetrack on wrong island.
The Axes of Evil.
No surprise ….but if Drury was being canned it would have been a package deal
Peca only has a shot if Drury can clean out some of the core
Dolan: Drury, go can Lavi and his staff. Then call me Monday
Drury: Done!
…
Dolan: Drury, thanks for cleaning up that mess on Saturday. Now get the F outta here!
*POST UPDATED FOR 2023 STATEMENTS AFTER GALLANT FIRING*
It is interesting that Housley was canned but the other 2 weren’t. The D was bad but it was a team effort. Hopefully the next guy gets rid of snow angels. Everyone seemed to be doing them by the end of the year.
From another blog at the time of the Gallant parting:
— And in a harbinger of what was to come for Gallant – following his firing, DQ when defending his case, brought up how he wanted a different roster – and how he felt that the Rangers lacked toughness and grit.
— Gallant, who did receive his “grit” and “tough guys” in Year One, players that he requested; soon had them stripped away from him during Year Two.
Question: Did Dreary have to clear this with the multi-billionaire or did he act autonomously?
He locked on to Lavy early last time and no on else got serious consideration. He probably has someone he is targeting. I hope he has a plan B if Sully isn’t available.
Seems it all started with the Goodrow screwing and tsunamied from there.
Dolan should can Drury and hire Uncle Larry as GM. Then do a PPV when Larry interviews Torts for the coaching vacancy 🤣
Four years, 104 pt/season average, now moving on to third coach. If you’re an NHL coach, why on earth would you take this job, short of being able to extort Dolan to do so?
So, we’re gonna look at things the way we think things need to be looked at. Obviously, some things must be look at from a certain point, and some thing must be look at as just things. Again, obviously, things didn’t go as things should go this year and we are disappointed in those things. But as I said before, our focus on things that weren’t such good things this year, so those things can be different things next year. So, since things weren’t the tings we thought should be things, I, Chris Drury, get to fire yet another head coach. Thank you.
CCCP 🤣🤣🤣
Blah, Blah, Blah. Blah!
The Unknown knowns and the known Unknowns.
Drury is clueless he will do the wrong thing thinking it’s the right thing. Drury is clueless! Soucy for a 3rd pick is all we need to know.
Especially when he said we’ve been looking at him for awhile. Dumb!
Let’s just hope the next coach doesn’t chew gum.
C3 15:29
I couldn’t have said it any better.
Rand Pecknold (Quinnipiac)
“…I wish he and his family all the best in the future….”
Good grief!
“I want to first thank (insert coach here) for his work and commitment to NYR during his time as head coach. I have a ton of respect for (First Name Here) as both a coach + person and truly appreciate everything he did for us on and off the ice these last two seasons.
“After my evaluation of the season and discussions with (Coach’s Name here), we mutually came to the conclusion that a change would be beneficial for both parties. I wish he and his family all the best in the future. Our search for a new head coach will begin right away.”
Self preservation. Drury had to fire someone or it would have been him. By firing both Lavy and Housley he looks like he’s really on the job.
The Quennville Era is coming next.
The Dark Ages return to MSG
Ranger game one 7pm start?
Can’t understand why housley was fired. Rangers were one of the best teams in their own end. Call me mystified.
Butch Patrick heading home to 1313 mockingbird lane.
Rest assured.
The #NYR will be retaining both goalie coach Jeff Malcolm and skills coach Christian Hmura, according to a league source.
I guess you could say he was…. Laviolette go…. 😉
Buchnevich looks pretty good. If Rangers could only get a guy like that…
silver linings 🤦🏻♂️
A disastrous New York Rangers season has finally come to an end, but no postseason appearance gives a key forward an opportunity at one of golf’s biggest stages. Rangers forward J.T. Miller is moving on to local qualifying rounds looking to compete at the upcoming 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont.
Miller is one of a few big-name non-golf athletes who are in the running for a spot at the U.S. Open. Alongside Miller are former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and former NFL running back Danny Woodhead.
I had a neighbor who made it to the northeast(?) regional final … and choked.
Hank isn’t as pretty with his hair dyed maroon.
WWPD said wood head
Blackwood is a pretty good goalie for $2.4M going on $5.3M next year
Friedman: There’s really going to be a lot of interest in that job (Anaheim coaching position)
Lol.. says nothing about NYR other than Lavi canned.
“Blackwood is a pretty good goalie for $2.4M…”
With NYR currency exchange rate, I believe that comes to about $11.5M.
Morgan Barron w/ assist for Jets. Zilch for Pionk and Namestoolong. Buch got an assist for the Blues.
Singh gives a more energetic call than does Kenny. Not sure how it would hold up over 82 games but I do like him doing the playoffs.
Beeze said Blackwood
That disallowed Aves goal was a horrid call.
Blackwood 0.913 SV%
I agree with Bobby, if Drury was getting canned, it would have been a package deal today.
As much as I dislike Drury, I do think he might find a way to get rid of Zbad, Kreider and maybe some more of the core. However, I have no faith that he will make good deals and I am downright frightened with what he will do with KAM.
Dreary serving up a word salad of non accountability. Smart to do it during Knicks home playoff game the day before Easter. He’s a piece of work
The more things you go through, the more you come around to, maybe Drury should go too. I’m not ready for that, but I could understand the argument. I would like to see Drury get a chance to build his team. until now he’s just been supplementing the hedgehogs team. He has been dismantling the team for a bit. Let’s see what he has in mind for his team.
Roobreck finished with 20 goals. Had to go on a heater in the last 20 games to do it. Laba had 4 points in his last 3 games. They have guys coming. It’s not as bad as people think in the pipeline.
I think Laba plays a role at some point next season. He’s a really good player. It will really depend on what they do at center in the offseason. Do they find a way to trade Zibanejad, or view him as a winger going forward. Either of those things open the door for Laba.
Carey Wilson
“You may be right, I may be crazy.” However I will still take the path of low expectations. I’ve seen this show far too many times. 1 for 85 is pretty shabby.
I view Laba as a potential 3C, and Roobreck as a potential 4C. If Roobreck forces the issue, is Sam Carrick really that valuable to block him? I Know we all liked him this year, but he’s 32, and shouldn’t be blocking anyone that shows they are ready.
What’s 1 for 85?
1 cup
There wasn’t even a 2004-05 season but the Rangers were bigly responsible for that, too.
Otherwise it’s 2 for 85 (but still 1 for 84🙁)
Foundations Era (1926-1942)
Won 17 playoff series, 3 Cups
Original 6 Era: (1942 -1966)
Won 1 playoff series
Expansion Era: (1967-2004)
Won 25 playoff series, 1 Cup
Salary Cap (2004-present)
Won 15 playoff series
From 1941 – 1971, they won ZERO playoff series
They can play the DJ as RW on 4th line until he waives
wwpd
If you are counting 1940 that would be 2 in 86. They weren’t winning anything in 2004/2005 anyway. And it still counts as a year. Anyway you spin it, it’s still pathetic!
If winning playoff series is the ultimate goal then Yippee Ki-Yay!
A day full of holidays! Belatedly happy Passover to those who observe that. Easter today and of course, 420 because its, well 420!
Lies, damned lies, and statistics!
Beeze – Easter joint hunt today?
We want the cup. Matt Rempe come get the Stanley Cup!
E3
A beer in ever can!
E3 you need to catch up with the times, edible Easter egg hunt 🤣 Might only be available in Canada or UK
by 2028, Titans like Roobroeck, Edstrom, and Rempe will be leading the room, and DJs who still haven’t waived their NMCs will be cowering in fear inside their lockers.
So will all the best available coaches be snatched up before Dooky wakes up?
The DJ hiding behind a sound board speaks volumes.
The smartest thing for Kreider to do is retire and preserve his health. A bad back is serious and gets worse with age.
Easter is such a beautiful uplifting story. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross for our sins. He was buried and three days later was resurrected. He rolled back the stone on his tomb, and stepped out. Then He finds all the eggs hidden by the bunny, and if he sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter.
SN in regards to your 9:45 the Rangers lost in the finals in 1950. So they won at least one series.
St.Pete…as someone who has had four back surgeries including a fusion…..I concur.
A little piece of Staple’s article in The Athletic today:
“It just feels like chaos and desperation all the time with the Rangers now. When Quinn was fired, the word was he was too harsh on the many young players, so Gallant came in to be softer on them. Then the word was Gallant was too soft, too permissive with a now-veteran team that needed stronger guidance. In came Laviolette, who balanced an off-ice bonding side with a tough, high-tempo on-ice side. And then he wasn’t communicating well enough, couldn’t motivate the team well enough.
This can’t be the way to run a team, where coaches and players and even staffers are fearful of what’s coming next. The Garden has been known to operate that way over Dolan’s 25 years at the helm, so maybe this shouldn’t all be dropped at Drury’s feet, but he took the job after Dolan fired John Davidson and Jeff Gorton, knowing well what was expected. It’s Drury’s team, Drury’s mess and he’s running out of scapegoats to blame for its problems.”
CESKE BUDEJOVICE, Czech Republic — Tessa Janecke scored the winner as the United States prevailed in overtime over defending champion Canada 4-3 to win the women’s ice hockey world championship Sunday.
Janecke struck with 2:54 left in overtime for the Americans to claim their 11th title at the worlds.
Class act.
From Rupper https://twitter.com/rupper17/status/1913648002931253581?s=61
Go Leafs Go!
Maybe it’s empty words. But at least Drury said
“It starts with me”
Sens diging themselves a hole by crosschecking every Leaf in sight.
No Q. No T. Try something from the other 24 letters. Maybe buy a vowel 🤣
Tru re ‘50; beat Habs 4-1 ;
This franchise won – playoff series over a 30 year stretch and just a subtle reminder to win the cup, you need to win playoffs series, like 4 in one year…
Drury has only one more bite at the apple. He’s got to win now. He’s not going with an unknown coach. Torts will not get strike three. So It’s coach Q.
Q wants back in so probably would take the job. Other vets may not. The expectations are unrealistic. Getting this gang into the playoffs next year will be a major accomplishment and may be viewed by Dolan as the floor rather than the ceiling.
Howden two goals, continued success after leaving island of misfit toys
The POs is very attainable if they figure out PP .3 G/game less this season is 24 goals over 82 games.
Team D is a bigger issue; +.36 goals allowed/game; 29 more goals let in this season.
50+ goal change to the negative side of ledger
Chytil over Howden. Fans know best 😂.
I think if they bring back the same exact group, with Quennville, they make the playoffs comfortably. But they would still not be good enough to win the cup. Which is why Drury has been doing what he’s been doing, and continue it this summer.
Remove Bread, Mika, Miller and Kreider; adds $30M cap space to get players that will help drive the next 3-5 seasons. Not suggesting UFAs but hockey trades
They are more likely to follow the Buffalo trajectory than than the Caps. Tearing down is the easy part. Building a winner is hard. Detroit and Buffalo will be better next year. They have to beat out 7 teams to make the playoffs. I can see the Flyers, Pens ans Bruins. The other 4 will be tough for them to be better than. Buffalo, CB, MTL, and DET.
Howden stinks. Glad he’s gone. Nice kid though.
GM >> COACH as to whether you have a real cup contender or not. Coach is important and can get you a few extra wins but end of day, limited to what the GM gives to work with, how those pieces fit into the whole and then how the style of hockey they play “works” in today’s NHL. A coach can only push his style on players so far if that is not their natural way. And history shows both “nice” and “nasty” coaches win cups.
SN I’d say team defense is the most important thing they lacked. A better PP might have kept them closer in a few games, maybe won a couple but end of day they were far to easy to score on. Lack of significant time in offensive zone also a big issue.
The big intangible that was missing was even a remote inkling of a killer instinct. Not many games you could point to that the boys kept their foot on the gas and ran over the necks of their opponents. They were a group content to do the minimum possible to try to win a game. JTM helps with this but he is just one guy.
Better PP and Team D would comfortably get them into POs; Team D would have them a more formidable PO team.
If Mika plays to 75% games of past performance this season they are in the POs easily. Can’t have your most important forward not show up.
Mollie: J.T. Miller had a close personal friend pass away, so he is not here for #NYR break-up day
Brooks: Kreider reveals that he injured his left hand in first game after 4Nations. Asked whether he wants to return, answer is: “This is home.”
It is pretty bad when the girls call you out. Mollie in da Post:
There is an all encompassing, round 1 Go Time scheduled for 7 PM EDT tonight, just in time for the Craps vs the Ole,Ole’s
Edstrom underwent surgery, has returned to skating and should be ready for camp.
Alexis Lafrenière on his #NYR season:
“I thought I had a good start and then struggled to be consistent in my game. Didn’t really make a difference. I’m obviously disappointed in my year.”
Looks at watch.. can I go now, I have a tee time
Meeka complains of perimenopausal symptoms.
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All these players can say what they want, but as far as I am concerned, these players Quit on the GM and coach. This is the third coach they have submarined, so they are not entitled to come back ant “try” again. Hope most, if not all, of this core is gone in hockey trades or at least for top prospects and potential draft picks that will at least be in the top 20.
Sounds like DeHaan decided to just leave quietly, to increase his chances of catching on somewhere else, rather then go scorched earth on Ranger management. I would have preferred him to go scorched earth and reveal all the issues with management and inside the locker room.
Valley is cooking on X https://x.com/vallysview/status/1914357632384589954?s=61
When posting links from X aka Twitter, change x.com to twitter.com
So Valley Kat wants accountability yet the GM cuts his presser off after 11 minutes with people still having questions and without saying that he did anything wrong or even would do differently.
At least now we know a bit more about Kredier and perhaps more important, Schneider.
Dreary said it starts with me but has fired 3 head coaches…
At least the Derbils lost
So Drury was selling knowingly damaged goods when he put CK up for sale. If I’m a GM I would keep that in mind for future dealings with him. In addition to the back he had vertigo and a hand injury. I wouldn’t buy a pizza from this guy.
ORF
Unfortunately we have have to.
Dreary owns a Colony grill that has no grill and sells one product, pizza
Are the St Petersburg and Tampa Bay locations of Colony Grill up to the quality standards of the original Stamford location? That’s what I’d like to know.
The General Manager was managing…were the players playing ?
I trust Drury to make trades more than sign contract extensions.
Lou, bye, bye.