Back to the New York Rangers Newsfeed

On May 24 in NYR history: Trader Phil goes bye-bye

Former New York Rangers GM Phill Esposito s (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

What happened on May 24 in the history of the New York Rangers

On this date in 1989, the Phil Esposito era came to an abrupt halt as the Rangers fired him after three years as the team’s general manager. The firing was a surprise to many as it left the team without a GM or coach just a month from the NHL Entry Draft. The deed was done by Jack Diller, head of Madison Square Garden and came after the Rangers were swept by the Penguins in the first round of the playoffs.