Gerard Gallant gets the Pink Slip: Who are the Replacement Candidates? by Hank Indictor
Sigh.
I was kind of hoping that I would have a little bit of a break in talking about the Rangers after the shitshow that was Game 7. But considering what just happened, I believe I am left with little choice.
Gerard Gallant and management have mutually agreed to part ways, or at least that’s what we’re forced to believe. And to be quite frank, I don't quite know how to feel about it. This is a coach who in only two seasons has the highest winning percentage in franchise history. But it’s also fair to say he isn’t exactly blameless for two years in a row where his teams have blown leads in playoff series. This year in particular was bad because of the golden opportunity they pissed away after dominating the first two games. However, let’s also not sit here and pretend that the superstars have done their job (again *cough, cough* Panarin and Zibanejad!).
The bottom line is, the Rangers now enter the offseason with one more question mark. However, let’s go over some of the candidates to replace Gallant.
Before I get started, I just want to say that I will not be addressing the candidacy of Daryl Sutter and Joel Quenneville. It has already been reported that neither has been in consideration, which I think is for the best given the way their previous coaching tenures ended (particularly the latter who doesn’t deserve another opportunity to coach after his shameful cover-ups with Chicago but I digress). I would also probably blow a gasket if they tried to hire Mike Babcock. Yes, he had his success with the Ducks, Red Wings, and to a lesser extent the Maple Leafs. But given his reputation for being a total jerk was what led to his firing in Toronto, I'd be shocked if I ever saw him coaching another game.
Andrew Brunette: Although he doesn’t have a lot of experience (Chris Drury said he’s not looking for experience) this is a hiring that in my opinion would make a lot of sense. After all, as one of the assistant coaches in New Jersey, he's been given a lot of credit for their turnaround. Not to mention during his time as the Panthers interim coach a year ago, he went 55-24-6 (including playoffs) and not only led the Panthers to a Presidents' Trophy but their first series win since 1996! And given the circumstances for why the aforementioned Joel Quenneville had to resign, this was a very good coaching job in my opinion. Regardless of their shocking upset and possible trip to the Eastern Conference Finals this season (as of this writing) it's still shocking that Brunette wasn’t brought back given how well the Panthers played with him at the helm. I would support this hire if it happens!
Bruce Boudreau: This is a name that I’m kind of iffy on. Yes, the Barbecue Man has a solid track record on the surface (647-342-128 with the Capitals, Ducks, Wild and Canucks) and has always been well-liked everywhere he has coached. It would also be nice to see him get one more opportunity after his shameful and unceremonious firing from Vancouver a couple of months ago. However, there are a few elephants in the room. His playoff track record is abysmal: 43-47 in playoff games, 5-10 in playoff series (nine of those losses came with his team being the higher seed). And worst of all he’s lost a litany of Game 7s (and those include plenty of blown series leads too, with one being a reverse sweep). Not to mention, he is also 68 years old. As much as this hire would make sense I don’t know that that’s necessarily a direction CD23 may take.
Peter Laviolette: If the Rangers were to hire him this would make sense. In 21 years he has gone 752-503-25-150 (before the 2004-05 lockout, games could end in a tie) with the Islanders, Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators and Capitals respectively. In addition to leading Carolina to their only Cup in franchise history in 2006, he has also taken the Flyers and Preds to the Finals! Though not as successful in Washington, I still can get behind this possible hire based due to his proven track record of success.
Kris Knoblauch: Given that CD23 hired him to be the head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack, and given their current run this season, I would wholeheartedly approve of this hiring! It also helps that he’s got a little bit of experience with the big boys. Included during his time filling in for David Quinn while he was recovering from COVID was a 9-0 victory over the Flyers where Zibanejad scored 4 goals. Without a doubt, he deserves a shot in the big leagues. And as I mentioned, his ties with Drury would make him a natural fit!
Mike Sullivan: This might be a long shot. After all, he's technically still under contract in Pittsburgh. But remember they are still in need of a new President/GM regime, and don’t be surprised if they want to go in their new direction. In my opinion, landing Sully would probably be the best possible scenario. This is a man who has won multiple Cups in Pittsburgh and has a system that emphasizes speed. Even as the team around him changed and declined, he still kept leading them to plenty of playoff appearances (even if many of them ended embarrassingly). Not to mention, this is a man with experience as one of John Tortorella's old assistants back when he was last part of their coaching staff! I'd be shocked if anyone were to complain about this hiring should he find his way out of Pittsburgh.
Mark Messier: Ok is this a realistic option? After all, it’s not that unusual to see a legend from a team be successful (look at Rod Brind'amour with the Hurricanes!) But yeah, I don’t think this is realistic. Brind’amour is a rare exception to this trend and many times elite talent doesn’t translate into elite coaching! Not to mention I think we'd be better off seeing him stay at ABC/ESPN as an analyst.
When it comes to the new coach only time will tell. But I can only wish Chris Drury the best in this coaching search and whoever it is that gets the job they will have my support!