The Rangers coaching staff was anticipated to follow up on their success in the Eastern Conference Final and winning the Presidents’ Trophy the year before, but they failed to do so. Let’s give each member of the staff a final year report card.
High Expectations After a Banner Year
Following a season in which the team reached the Eastern Conference Final and captured the Presidents’ Trophy, expectations for the New York Rangers were understandably sky-high.
Letdown
Unfortunately, the coaching staff failed to meet those expectations — both for the team and its passionate fanbase. As a result, President and General Manager Chris Drury made the call to part ways with Head Coach Peter Laviolette and Associate Head Coach Phil Housley.
Before turning the page to the Mike Sullivan era, let’s take a closer look at how the coaching staff performed this past season.
Coaching Report Cards
Peter Laviolette – Head Coach
When a head coach is let go, it usually reflects a major failure. If I could have given Laviolette a grade lower than an F, I would’ve.
The Rangers’ dramatic fall — missing the playoffs immediately after winning the Presidents’ Trophy — will be remembered as a historic collapse. Laviolette struggled to establish consistency, made puzzling lineup decisions, and oversaw a team that finished 39-36-7 without ever really finding its rhythm. His dismissal seemed inevitable.
Grade: F
Phil Housley – Associate Head Coach
As Laviolette’s right-hand man and the coach in charge of the defense, Housley didn’t live up to expectations either. While his Hall of Fame pedigree looked promising on paper, the defensive unit showed little development and lacked accountability.
The young core failed to progress, and some argue Housley’s shortcomings were even more impactful than Laviolette’s. It’s no surprise he was dismissed alongside him.
Grade: F
Michael Peca – Assistant Coach (Power Play)
The Rangers’ power play went from elite to abysmal in a single season, tumbling from 1st in the league (26.4%) to 28th (17.7%). That steep decline contributed significantly to their drop in goal production.
While Laviolette was criticized for his unwillingness to shake up the PP unit, Peca — who remains on staff — will need to find answers quickly if he’s to regain trust.
Grade: D-
Dan Muse – Assistant Coach (Penalty Kill)
One bright spot amid the coaching struggles was the penalty kill. Early in the season, the unit was highly effective, leading the league in shorthanded goals (18) and boasting the top net penalty kill rate (87.9%).
Although the team struggled to stay out of the box, Muse’s unit managed to hold firm. The PK ended the season ranked 11th, showing both promise and room for growth.
Grade: C-
Looking Ahead
With Mike Sullivan now at the helm, there’s hope that the Rangers’ coaching trajectory is pointed upward. Known for his assertive locker room presence and aggressive style, Sullivan offers a fresh approach that fans hope translates to high marks for next year’s staff.