Jan Levine: Rangers and coach Gerard Gallant part ways, coaching search underway Move not a major surprise

If anything, Gallant’s track record doesnt speak for itself, matter of fact its a bit of a curiosity and head scratcher. Particularly the exit from Vegas who had a run to the Cup final in their first season and a run to the WCF in his 3rd and final season there.

LOL (frank)in rangers 😂🤣

the rangers should not have fired their coach. what a stupid move. they brought in a bunch of individual stars thinking it would be ps3 and now they blame the coach. also the highest paid player disappears in the playoffs, likely because that's when the paychecks stop. not the coach's fault at all.

the rangers should not have fired their coach. what a stupid move. they brought in a bunch of individual stars thinking it would be ps3 and now they blame the coach. also the highest paid player disappears in the playoffs, likely because that's when the paychecks stop. not the coach's fault at all.
- batteryjackson

Explain then why he was fired from Vegas after going to the SC and WCF in 2 out of 3 years.

There’s plenty of blame to go around, but ultimately it’s the coach that suffers. Can’t fire the whole team. However we now not only need a coach but the team needs to go over some minor changes t o make them more competitive. I know knob has done a great job in Hartford, but the rangers always go for the big name which has hurt them in the past. With the salary cap being at it is dru has his hands full to getting more of the north south players that would complement some of our softer players. Dru has blood on his hands also since he assembled this team, that at times as reported GG did not agree with.

Sullivan would be my choice too. Looks like he's under contract until 26-27. Maybe they can work out the scantily used coach trade with Pittsburgh. Would you give up a player like Shesterkin for Sullivan? I mean...a lot of teams still in play right now don't have superstar goalies...could the Rangers do without one too with a better assembled and coached squad? Or would Drury take on some of Hextalls laughably bad contracts in return for a really good head coach?

You have no shot at Sullivan. He isn’t going anywhere.

Sullivan would be my choice too. Looks like he's under contract until 26-27. Maybe they can work out the scantily used coach trade with Pittsburgh. Would you give up a player like Shesterkin for Sullivan? I mean...a lot of teams still in play right now don't have superstar goalies...could the Rangers do without one too with a better assembled and coached squad? Or would Drury take on some of Hextalls laughably bad contracts in return for a really good head coach?
- greenyone

Great blog Jan!

Looks like no Q

https://twitter.com/nyp_b...&t=45h0umN824psAFr4qm-CuA

It's not an enviable position... I questioned Quinn when he was here and now GG gone. Those are pretty much each end of the coaching spectrum.

Retreads aren't always a losing idea... Just look around this.. Dallas, Vegas, Seattle and holy smokes Fla esp. Even the Peg under Bowness made ...

I just wonder about Lavi .. Trotz would be a Home Run.. but alas .. not to be..

Travis Green anyone.

Would you guys be welcoming to an AV reunion? Not saying I would do it but wonder what the overall consensus of that would be??

Explain then why he was fired from Vegas after going to the SC and WCF in 2 out of 3 years.
- aecliptic

Or why Florida ditched him on the side of the road and made him call his own taxi to the airport

You do have to wonder about a guy who appears successful but is consistently dismissed in weird ways.

Would you guys be welcoming to an AV reunion? Not saying I would do it but wonder what the overall consensus of that would be??
- Awolff9

Thanks, but no, thanks, same situation for Tortorella

Sullivan would be my choice too. Looks like he's under contract until 26-27. Maybe they can work out the scantily used coach trade with Pittsburgh.
- greenyone

Would you give up a player like Shesterkin for Sullivan?

I mean...a lot of teams still in play right now don't have superstar goalies...could the Rangers do without one too with a better assembled and coached squad? Or would Drury take on some of Hextalls laughably bad contracts in return for a really good head coach?

Are you for real per your Shesty for Sullivan proposal alone with Shesty being both the Rangers' most valuable trade asset, as well as a top one in the entire NHL to bring back the highest in a return? Or are you a Penguins fan in reality per you also wanting the cap strapped Rangers to relieve the Pens of "Hextall's laughably bad contracts." Furthermore, I want no NYR reunion with Sullivan, even again as just an assistant coach as he was during his past tenure under then NYR head coach Tortorella. He failed alone of key when in charge of running their powerplay for Torts which struggled back then.

Sullivan's success as a Cup winner was solely due to him benefitting from having those top Penguins stars in their prime. And they alone weren't initially enough for him to win one until acquiring the final piece clincher in specialty role penalty killer, speedy forward, & shot blocker Carl Hagelin from the Ducks, who Sully was directly well aware of his benefits during the two's in part simultaneous years with the Rangers.

the rangers should not have fired their coach. what a stupid move. they brought in a bunch of individual stars thinking it would be ps3 and now they blame the coach. also the highest paid player disappears in the playoffs, likely because that's when the paychecks stop. not the coach's fault at all.

Coming from a fan of the team that fired Trots!!

I wouldnt mind a Knoblauch head coach with a Messier as assistant.

I wouldnt mind a Knoblauch head coach with a Messier as assistant.
- Brukie

Unsure Messier comes on board to be an assistant and that would have Knobluach looking over his shoulder constantly.

I know I’ve seen Dallas fans on twitter complaining that Nils Lundkvist has been banished in favor of older veteran defensemen.

Sullivan would be an ideal fit with this roster. Doubt he'll be available as FSG likes him. Sullivan did have some poor lineup choices this year, but Hetard left him with too many issues to fix. Rangers are contenders, but there were at least several better teams than them this year.

[quote=RangerSaver]

It's just Sunday morning spitballing.  But to say Sullivan only benefitted from Crosby and Malkin during those cup runs is not true.  You have to look at what he did with all those young guys during those injury riddled seasons.  If memory serves me, I think Pittsburgh had the most man-games lost in the league back in one of those back to back cup years.  His track record of late was because they moved on from a lot of those younger guys under Hextalls watch and got old and slow.  (Tanev, McCann, Marino to name a few)  Sullivan is obviously better positioned for success when he has a speedier squad to work with.  Rangers have way more pieces that fit that mold than Pittsburgh does and if it meant giving up arguably the best goalie in the league for a coach that fits in better with the personnel in NY then I'd never be one to poo poo the idea.  And no I'm not a Pittsburgh fan.  I do work in Western PA for most of the year.  So I'm inundated by the media coverage of that team.

[quote=greenyone]

Yeah it's profoundly ignorant to think Sullivan didn't contribute to the organization success on his own accord. Any amateur set of eyes could see the transformation from Johnston's slow deliberate system to Sullivan's more aggressive system that suited the roster core better. The team process improved overnight before Rutherford even solidified the lineup changes.

I wouldnt mind a Knoblauch head coach with a Messier as assistant.
- Brukie

Unless Knoblauch asks and requests Messier be there, I agree, not a good idea. But also, I think its important to have a couple experienced NHL coaches behind Knoblauch.

Unless Knoblauch asks and requests Messier be there, I agree, not a good idea. But also, I think its important to have a couple experienced NHL coaches behind Knoblauch.
- aecliptic

Thats just as bad, he would still be looking over his shoulder.

Boy it’s going to be a LOOOOONG SUMMER!