The New York Rangers made headlines on Saturday as they announced the termination of head coach Peter Laviolette. This decision comes after the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 NHL season, a significant setback for a franchise that entered this season with aspirations of winning the Stanley Cup.
Entering the season, the Rangers had high hopes following their impressive run to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and their Presidents’ Trophy victory. However, the team finished with a disappointing record of 39-36-7, and shockingly, did not achieve a multi-goal comeback until their first game post-elimination. Laviolette’s tenure with the Rangers concludes with a record of 94-59-11 as he navigated a tumultuous season filled with underperformance and dramatic moments.
One of the critical issues for the Rangers this season was the regression of key veteran players. Chris Kreider saw a significant drop in performance, going from 39 goals and 75 points in the 2023-24 season to just 22 goals and 30 points in 67 games this season. Other players, including Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin, and Alexis Lafrenière, also experienced declines, finishing with at least 10 fewer points than the previous season.
The Rangers faced significant challenges in maintaining defensive consistency throughout the season. They did not achieve a three-game win streak after November and allowed five or more goals on 23 occasions. Fortunately, strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin helped mitigate some of these issues; he finished sixth in the league in goals saved above expected, according to Evolving-Hockey.
Off the ice, the Rangers encountered their share of turmoil, much of which was not directly attributable to Laviolette. General manager Chris Drury made controversial decisions, including placing Barclay Goodrow on waivers, which frustrated players in the locker room, especially since it allowed the San Jose Sharks—a team on Goodrow's no-trade list—to claim him. Additionally, Drury traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, a move that came with threats to place Trouba on waivers if he did not accept a trade.
The atmosphere within the team was further strained as multiple players publicly questioned their roles. Kaapo Kakko expressed his frustration following a scratch, leading to his subsequent trade. Zac Jones and Jimmy Vesey also voiced their discontent regarding inconsistent playing time. Most notably, Calvin de Haan criticized the team's treatment of him, stating it had been “f—ed” after being scratched for the final 20 games of the season.
Despite a rocky start and mid-season struggles, the Rangers managed to stabilize somewhat in early 2025, even tying in points with the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild-card spot as late as April 2. However, a six-game win streak by the Canadiens and a lackluster 4-4-0 record from the Rangers in April ultimately ensured their absence from the playoffs.
In light of the disappointing season, Laviolette acknowledged the possibility of a coaching change. He remarked on April 13, “I think everything gets looked at when a year is not good like this.” The Rangers are now on the lookout for their fourth head coach since hiring David Quinn before the 2018-19 season. Despite leading the team to a conference final appearance, both Laviolette and assistant coach Phil Housley were let go. Dan Muse and Michael Peca will have the opportunity to interview for positions on the new coaching staff.
General manager Drury expressed his gratitude towards Laviolette in an official statement, highlighting the unmet expectations this season. “After finishing with the best regular-season record in the NHL a year ago, we came into this season with high expectations for ourselves,” he stated. Drury emphasized the need for a change in order to align the team with its organizational goals and indicated that the search for a new head coach would commence immediately.
As the New York Rangers look to rebuild and re-establish their competitive edge in the league, the coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of the franchise.
