The Rangers’ five-plus-week coaching search naturally led the club to the most-qualified available candidate.
Peter Laviolette was named the 37th head coach in franchise history Tuesday, the team announced, marking a new era on Broadway after last season’s colossally disappointing first-round ouster.
Laviolette received a three-year contract worth slightly less than $5 million a year, according to The Athletic.
Additionally, the rest of the coaching staff will be determined in the coming days.
Gord Murphy will not be back in his role, but it’s safe to say director of goaltending Benoit Allaire will be.
From the moment the Rangers parted ways with Gerard Gallant, five days after the team was eliminated in seven games by the Devils, there was little debate as to who — on paper — should be the favorite to succeed him.
It’s true, the depth of options was as shallow as a plastic backyard kiddie pool, especially in comparison to what it was a year ago.
There was also zero inclination to hand the keys over to a first-timer, because why would there be?
“We are thrilled that Peter will be the next Head Coach of the New York Rangers,” president and general manager Chris Drury said in a release. “With Peter’s extensive experience as a Head Coach in the National Hockey League, as well as the success his teams have had at several levels throughout his career, we are excited about what the future holds with him leading our team.”
Though other legitimate options, such as ex-Predators coach John Hynes, emerged, Laviolette was identified early on in the process after the 58-year-old had been dismissed from the Capitals in mid-April.
Laviolette may not be the ground-breaking hire fans yearn for.
It’s understandably difficult to get excited about a coach who either hasn’t qualified for the postseason or made it out of the first round in five years.
What no one can argue with, however, is the big picture of Laviolette’s NHL coaching career and his overall track record.
He has led not one, not two, but three different organizations to the Stanley Cup Final — winning it all with the Carolina Hurricanes in just his fourth season as a NHL head coach in 2005-06.
He brings 22 years of coaching experience in the league, having previously led five different organizations.
Laviolette has been around the block, worked with a wide range of talented players and has established himself in the NHL.
“I would like to welcome Peter to the New York Rangers,” owner James Dolan said in a statement. “Peter’s impressive résumé, which includes winning a Stanley Cup and advancing to the Final with three different teams, has made him one of the most respected coaches in the league. As we move forward in our goal to consistently contend for the Stanley Cup, I am confident that Peter is the right head coach to lead our team.”
Taking on this Rangers team and the gargantuan expectations hanging over it is no task for the weak-minded.
Laviolette appears to be headstrong, decisive in his thinking and purposeful with his actions.
There are valid reasons to think that Laviolette’s style of play isn’t well-suited for the way the Rangers’ lineup is constructed.
He is, however, known to make strategic in-game adjustments well, which should translate in his ability to adapt to his new roster.
Laviolette, who brings a 752-503-25-150 coaching record to the Garden, also has a knack for building strong relationships with his players.
The Blueshirts will be the fifth Metropolitan Division team and the sixth team overall that Laviolette has coached over the course of his career, but arguably the most win-now club he’s ever inherited.
The franchise also happens to be the only NHL team Laviolette ever played for when he was a left-handed defenseman once upon a time back in 1988-89.
If the Rangers were the pinnacle of Laviolette’s playing days, perhaps the club will be the same for his coaching career.
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