The Rangers' coaching search got a bit more clarity today, though another name might have been added to the mix. Spencer Carbery, who was one of the available coaches interviewed by GM Chris Drury , signed a four-year deal with Washington today. Carbery was a long-shot to be hired by the Rangers, but he was in demand with four teams rumored to have brought in for a visit.
Kevin Weekes reported today that Nashville was letting go of John Hynes and hiring Andrew Brunette as their new coach. Brunette was another name in the New York coaching mix with most fans either loving or hating the idea of bringing him onboard with little middle ground. Arthur Staple noted that Hynes was a college teammate of Drury, meaning that he too likely is now a possible candidate for the role, albeit a little unlikely.
Nashville change may factor into #NYR coaching search -- believe that John Hynes, just let go by the Preds, is on the Rangers' list of candidates. Former college teammate of Drury's.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 30, 2023
Defense-first approach in NSH/NJ may not be ideal for this roster, but Hynes may be in the mix.
Nashville change may factor into #NYR coaching search -- believe that John Hynes, just let go by the Preds, is on the Rangers' list of candidates. Former college teammate of Drury's.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) May 30, 2023
Defense-first approach in NSH/NJ may not be ideal for this roster, but Hynes may be in the mix.
Pierre LeBrun and others noted that Peter Laviolette is having a second interview with the Rangers today. Elliotte Friedman reported yesterday that Laviolette looks to be the favorite for the job, though it's not a down deal. If you had asked most fans 10 years ago would you have wanted Laviolette, the answer likely would have been a resounding yes. Now, he looks like the best of the possible retreads available.
Lavy has experience coaching and getting the most out of younger players, but that likely was a few jobs and years ago. Now, he looks to be the fall back choice, albeit one with better offensive and defensive structure than Gerard Gallant. It's the safe route going with an experienced coach for an experienced team, but the Rangers will need to incorporate a few young pieces on the roster.
Predators will make the Brunette hire, 1st reported by @KevinWeekes below, official later today.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 30, 2023
The Preds also interviewed Spencer Carbery.
Elsewhere:
_ The Flames reached out to Gerard Gallant to gauge his interest in potentially coaching in Calgary. Answer was yes. So Gallant… https://t.co/NM6hGQ64av
#NYR coaching search takes twist as Predators fire John Hynes, Capitals hire Spencer Carbery.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) May 30, 2023
Plus info on Jay Leach, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette. https://t.co/qzTRIHz5tc via @nypostsports
As I have said before, go bold. I would prefer Jay Leach or Kris Knoblauch get a chance with an experienced bench coach. If looking to bring in someone who has coached before, why not try Patrick Roy, who has implemented a structured game in the QMJHL and looks to have matured from how his Colorado stint ended. Instead, the team looks to be going with the tried and true, since that is the easiest course of action.