The Rangers’ coaching search appears to be no closer to resolution than on the day Alain Vigneault was fired. Calgary, Dallas and Carolina have all hired new heads of their organization, leaving New York as the only currently team without a coach. Bill Peters, originally speculated as a possible option, and Jim Montgomery, who maybe believe was the organization’s top choice, each went elsewhere, leaving the Blueshirts without a man to help drive the direction forward. In addition, David Quinn, who based on his ties to Chris Drury and college success, despite some of the criticisms ascribed to him, all but appears certain to return to Boston University.
Rick Carpinello wrote extensively yesterday on who is out and who may be in. Below are the excerpts from the column in The Athletic. Regardless of who New York hires - and I am fine with not finding the sexy coach or the hot hire, because all that matters is getting it right - that person must create an identity and path forward for the franchise. Instilling that coach’s system throughout the organization and identifying players to fulfill that philosophy are the keys. But until that coach is determined and brought on board, the organizational meetings which are ongoing are missing a key component.
Larry Brooks in his column yesterday noted: “Management is committed to adding a phalanx of more reliably competitive north-south players to the mix. That should be understood by whomever remains a candidate to take over behind the bench.“ The prior system was certainly north-south and not solely east-west. To me, the key word in what Brooks wrote is ‘competitive.’ Utilizing that word is an indication that team brass was not happy with the prior compete level and making rememdiating that aspect a focus for the future.
Those who aren’t (in consideration as coach) include Lindy Ruff, the last remaining Vigneault assistant whose future is still to be determined; Hartford (AHL) coach Keith McCambridge; Dan Bylsma, who said, in the New York Post, some relatively outrageous things about his doubts over the Rangers’ intentions to really rebuild; and I firmly believe, based on conversations, Dave Tippett.
The only name that has been thrown around as a true candidate in some circles was Tippett. He had a modicum success in the past and could instill a defensive system while also not restricting the offense. But if Tippett and Bylsma and Ruff are not on the short-list, the ramifications are that the organization truly isn’t interested in adding a retread.
Likewise, a name that was on the list early and hasn’t gotten much attention lately, but I think is still in the conversation, is Minnesota-Duluth’s Scott Sandelin.
Montgomery, Quinn and Sandelin were the three college coaches mentioned as possible candidates. One is definitely not coming to New York, one seems to have taken himself out of contention and the third could be the sleeper that few are really talking about. Rand Pecknoldc the coach of Quinnipiac, has been mentioned in certain circles. But I wonder if the lack of talk on Sandelin, coupled with those already out and those who are in but not possibly not true contenders, has Sandelin as the lead candidate?
The Rangers don’t seem interested in Boston assistant Joe Sacco, but there had been rumors of Sacco coming as an assistant under Quinn, who was his assistant when Sacco was the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.
The Rangers have not yet asked permission to talk to Columbus assistant Brad Shaw. The popular thought is that the Blue Jackets wouldn’t let John Tortorella’s heir apparent go, but we know that Tortorella wouldn’t stop him given how he stumped for his then-Rangers assistant Mike Sullivan to get an NHL head-coaching job.
If the Sacco/Quinn duo as a combination is accurate, then Quinn taking himself out of contention likely impacts Sacco, especially if Sacco was to be the assistant. In addition, if avoiding the retread route, then passing on Sacco makes sense. I don’t understand not talking to Shaw. Maybe he comes in and blows you away. He checks the boxes of a former player, who was a blue liner and has experience as an assistant. Not that those three are key but they provide a contrast to some of the college coaches who were in the mix.
Two who haven’t been ruled out, but I believe are not serious contenders, are Toronto Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe, and Lehigh Valley coach Scott Gordon, whose teams are still playing in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. Gordon, as brought up by the Post’s Larry Brooks, is the former Islanders head coach who was coaching the Bruins’ minor-league affiliate when Gorton was in the B’s front office.
Gordon coming back to New York but to coach the Rangers would be an interesting sidelight story. But he too would be a retread, though one from many years ago. On the flip side, the prior relationship with Gorton is a factor and he is having success coaching in the minors. In addition, at 54, he isn’t necessarily an old coach compared to some of the other retread candidates.
Keefe is the one that I thought was right there with Montgomery and maybe Quinn as the favorites. He is the youngest of the group and has played a key role in the development of Toronto’s pipeline of players. Maybe Gorton believes Kyle Dubas is getting the GM job in Toronto and Keefe is the future successor for Mike Babcock well down the road. I am a bit surprised he is not higher up in the organization’s pecking order.
Organizational meetings started this week. The lack of a coach is a major negative but definitely one that is not optimal. Because as the team goes through the decision making process on the squad, especially the RFAs and who maybe to target in free agency, knowing what system in to be put in place would impact that decisions. Hiring the coach before the draft, or definitely before free agency, has to be the timeline. My hope is that Gorton and President Glen Sather have identified who that coach will be. But the longer the search goes, the less confidence I have that this is the case.
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