The New York Rangers went out and did it. General Manager Chris Drury hired Peter Laviolette, making him the 37th coach in franchise history. According to The Athletic, Laviolette received a three-year contract worth slightly less than $5 million a year. After the departure of Gerard Gallant, who was fired following the Blueshirts first round defeat to the Devils, there was no question that Laviolette was the favorite to succeed him.
In their exit interviews, several Rangers players requested a sense of direction and motivation. They felt Gallant wasn’t giving it to them. Laviolette is the polar opposite of him.