After Vigneault and Ruff, it’s anyone’s guess. Somehow, Mark Messier is third. Leave it to some of our fans who actually think it would be a good idea to hire the former legend with no real experience. Like many, I appreciate what Messier did for our team. He captained a Stanley Cup winner. Something most never thought they’d live to see. The Rangers already paid for that when they brought Messier back after he left for Vancouver. Not to be a sour puss. But Messier’s second stint here was a disgrace. He hogged the spotlight and took away ice-time from better players. There was no youth movement. It took a lockout for him to retire. Ironically, Sather wised up. The team became good again thanks to Henrik Lundqvist and Jaromir Jagr. Messier is the sentimental choice. A fan favorite who walks on water. He is Sather’s special assistant. Moving down behind the bench is a huge risk. In my opinion, he’s better suited for management.

Wayne Gretzky is also interested. Gretzky at least coached in Phoenix, lasting four years. His teams never made the playoffs and was only over NHL .500 once. Gretzky didn’t have much talent to work with due to the unstable ownership in the desert. However, replacement Dave Tippett has done a great job since. Prior to this year, he got the Coyotes to the postseason three straight seasons including their first ever trip to the Conference Finals. He’s a defensive oriented mind who gets the most out of his players. The Rangers might be waiting to see if Tippett leaves Phoenix. His contract expires. He’d be a hot candidate for any job. He also guided Dallas to the Conference Finals with Brad Richards. While Gretzky is a long shot, Tippett isn’t.

Dan Bylsma has come under fire in Pittsburgh for their no show against Boston. He took over for Michel Therrien in ’09 and took the Penguins to the Cup. Since, the Pens have been past the first round once finally reaching the Conference Finals this Spring. A star-laden roster boasting former MVPs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin along with Kris Letang and rental pickup Jarome Iginla was held to two goals. They were swept by the Bruins who dominated. Some Pens bloggers and fans weren’t happy with Bylsma, who didn’t make adjustments. Despite rumors that he’d lose his job, GM Ray Shero extended him today saying, “I believe in Dan Bylsma.” No truth to the rumor that he stole this line from Christian Bale in The Dark Knight when he mocked Aaron Eckhart’s character Harvey Dent. Scratch Bylsma off.

One candidate who hasn’t gotten much notoriety is current Islanders assistant Doug Weight. Following a successful career in which he reached 1,000 points, Weight’s done a solid job in two years as an assistant to coach Jack Capuano. The Isles’ offensive improvement particularly on the power play can be attributed to Weight. One of the most under appreciated playmakers, he is a great offensive mind who certainly could be a logical choice to fix the Rangers’ power play. Only 42, he definitely has a coaching future. If he stays with the Islanders when they move to Brooklyn, he might be their next coach. However, if he’s ready, then Weight could come to Manhattan where his NHL career began. At this point, it doesn’t look like the Rangers have a watchful eye. As much as I’d love to see it, don’t expect it to happen.

There are other possibilities. One is John Stevens. The ex-Flyer coach has rebuilt his reputation as Darryl Sutter’s top assistant with the Kings. Los Angeles won their first Cup last year after Sutter took over the reigns from Stevens, who was the interim coach. Their success has made him a good candidate. The Canucks are said to be interested and possibly the Stars. Stevens lasted three years in Philadelphia guiding them to the Conference Finals in ’08. They lost to the Pens. A year later, they were out in the first round. A mediocre start to his fourth year was enough for Peter Laviolette to replace him. Stevens is 47 and could fare better the second time. I’m not opposed to him. He doesn’t have the appeal of Vigneault or Messier. 

I’ve seen Mike Eaves surface because he coached Wisconsin products Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh. But that makes little sense. He’s a great college coach who has a cushy job. Why would he risk that for the NHL where there’s no stability? Especially in the pressure packed environment of the Big Apple. Eaves has done it all with Wisconsin and coached Team USA to gold in the ’04 WJC. The infamous year the Rangers selected Al Montoya. Eaves is better suited for a younger team with lower expectations. 

The only other guy I can think of is Guy Boucher. It was only two years ago when he took a talented Lightning team to the Conference Finals. They lost in seven to eventual champ Boston. Nathan Horton won it. After instant success, Tampa Bay missed the postseason in ’11-12 and ’13. Their poor performance this year following GM Steve Yzerman’s spending spree doomed him. They were 13-17-1 when he was axed. Inconsistent goaltending and defense was too much to overcome. Only 41, Boucher is still young and could learn from this experience. He teaches offense. Something Tortorella lacked. While there are more proven candidates who fit the criteria, looking at Boucher should be examined. Unfortunately, we root for a dysfunctional organization who will probably make the predictable choice.