Oct 11, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant speaks to reporters after a season-opening 3-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers
(New York, NY) — It didn’t take long for the Rangers to make a drastic change after their disappointing first round playoff exit.
New York and head coach Gerard Gallant “mutually agreed to part ways,” the team announced on Saturday.
Gallant, 59, was in just his second year with the team, coaching the Blue Shirts’ Eastern Conference finals in 2022, losing to the Tampa Bay Lighting.
“I want to first thank Gerard for his work and commitment to the Rangers during his time as head coach,” Rangers general manager Chris Drury said. “I have a ton of respect for Gerard as both a coach and a 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 said he has no specific timetable in mind for a decision to hire a replacement.
“It’s obviously pretty early in the process but we’re looking at a lot of different things,” Drury said. “We’re still going to evaluate what went on this season, what I think we need to work on to get better, and hopefully have a good, long, robust list of candidates to interview.”
There was talk after the Rangers’ elimination that Gallant’s job could be in jeopardy despite being signed through 2024-25.
“I’m coming in here after what I think were two successful years. We had one bad week and that cost us. If I can’t stand by my record and what I’ve done — and not just my record here — I think there’s something wrong. I think it’s pretty good. But we’re in New York and people put stuff out there, and that’s fine,” he said.
An NHL source told ESPN that feedback from Rangers players in exit meetings was a factor in the decision to part ways with Gallant.
This was his fourth NHL coaching gig, after stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-2007), Florida Panthers(2014-2017) and Vegas Golden Knights (2017-2019), whom he led to the Stanley Cup Finals.
