Rangers Fire Third Coach in Four Years Amid Leadership Criticism

The New York Rangers have fired head coach Peter Laviolette after just two seasons, marking the team's fourth head coach in six years and highlighting ongoing instability in their leadership. This move comes on the heels of a disappointing season in which the Rangers failed to make the playoffs, despite having won the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the conference finals the previous year. General Manager Chris Drury, whose tenure has featured frequent coaching changes and significant roster moves, acknowledged organizational responsibility for the team's struggles. Drury's offseason will be crucial, as he must not only hire a new coach but also make key decisions about the roster, including the future of young defenseman K’Andre Miller. The pattern of instability stands in stark contrast to the franchise's earlier period of coaching consistency, raising questions about the Rangers' long-term direction. Drury stated, 'It starts with me,' accepting accountability for the team's lack of success.