The Rangers search for a coach looks to be no closer to a conclusion, though that might require someone from the organization to talk, which has proven to be an anathema for this management crew. What we have received though is some news within the hockey industry that impacts the search.
Last night, Elliotte Friedman reported that the Rangers have joined Anaheim and Washington in receiving permission to talk to Toronto assistant Spencer Carbery. Add CarvBry to the list of neophyte coaches under consideration. As Mollie Walker reported, Carbery has never been a head coach at the NHL level, but he has nine seasons of experience in that role in the East Coast Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and American Hockey League.
Carbery has a connection to another assistant coach in consideration for the Rangers' gig. He was an assistant on Jay Leach’s staff with the Providence Bruins of the AHL in 2017-18. Leach is also a possibility for New York's bench role.
His most recent head coaching gig was with the AHL’s Hershey Bears - Washington's top farm club - for three seasons from 2018 to 2021. That connection is one reason why he might be a favorite to land the Caps gig. Carbery ended up in Toronto as an assistant coach beginning in 2021 after leaving the Bears.
Hearing Rangers have permission to talk to TOR assistant Spencer Carbery. That's three teams believed to be speaking to him: ANA, NYR & WASH
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 19, 2023
This morning, Darren Dreger reported that commissioner Gary Bettman will meet with Joel Quenneville as soon as the season ends to review his status. Quenneville is still suspended from the league following the Kris Beach incident while he was at the helm in Chicago. Larry Brooks had basically ruled out Q in his column a few weeks ago, but that might have been more due to the timing of when a coach was hired rather than a definitive no. As the search plods along - though plod would imply progress - the greater the possibility that Quenneville could be a consideration, all but implied by Kevun Weekes.
Sources say NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will meet with veteran coach Joel Quenneville as soon as the season ends to review his status.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 19, 2023
**Coaching Carousel Update**
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 19, 2023
Per Dreg’s tweet below, this spices up the Coaches’ Pool of candidates pending the decision of Commissioner Bettman. It also gives teams another potential option to consider for HC. @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @TSNHockey @DKSportsbook #HockeyTwitter https://t.co/0eyYGmQ1hW
Friedman reported this morning that Kyle Dubas will not be back as Toronto's GM. Brendan Shanahan's press conference, which really did put the team in the best light, more than indicated that Dubas asked for more money in the contract that was reportedly offered to him and Shanny opted to cut the cord. With Dubas gone, what does that mean for Sheldon Keefe? If a new GM wants his own coach, Keefe could be gone. He has been rumored to be a possibility for the Rangers job. But given the issues he has had with making adjustments, lack of playoff success and inability to motivate, would he be better than Gallant?
Hearing Kyle Dubas will not be back as GM of Toronto
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 19, 2023
In other news, and possibly even more surprising, Arthur Staple reported that long-time trainer Jim Ramsey is no longer with the Rangers organization. The "spin" is that this was a mutual decision, and maybe Ramsey - who has been with the team since 1994 - wanted to go elsewhere. But you sure have to wonder what the heck is going on at Penn Plaza with this team.
Ramsey who took on the title of Director of Sports Medicine in 2016-17 as well, is about as highly respected a trainer as you can find, As Walker noted, players have sung Ramsay’s praises throughout the years, often lauding the 58-year-old for his help during injury stints. One such player was Patrick Kane, who singled out Ramsey for the work he did to help get him and keep him on the ice.
Hearing that #NYR has let Jim Ramsay go. Athletic trainer for the team since 1994, worked several Olympics as Team Canada's head trainer.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 19, 2023
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. What this is unclear. But fish rot from the head, you make your own determination from that.