As we approach Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight in Vegas between the Golden Knights and Panthers, it appears that the Rangers are no closer to making a decision on a new coach. They continue to mystify the media and fans in their coaching search.

While some teams have made decisions such as the Predators opting to replace John Hynes with former Devils assistant Andrew Brunette behind the bench, you still have the Rangers and Flames remaining without a coach. Even the Blue Jackets decided to go with Mike Babcock, who gets four years to try to turn them around.

With it appearing that Mike Sullivan will stay put in Pittsburgh following the hiring of former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas as new Penguins president of hockey operations, that eliminates the favorite. All of that nonsense well known reporters put out about Dubas and former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe being a package deal proved to be wrong. As it turns out, nobody knows anything.

At this juncture, no one has a clue what the Rangers are thinking. While beat writer Mollie Walker and the well-respected Elliotte Friedman have reported that both Peter Laviolette and Hynes remain the favorites for the job, Team President and GM Chris Drury still hasn’t made a decision. If they were certain about who they wanted, maybe it would’ve been announced already.

What’s more surprising is that Walker’s latest breaking news is that the Rangers won’t consider Patrick Roy. The former Avalanche Stanley Cup hero who coached Colorado for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 went back to running the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. They won the Memorial Cup last night by defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-0. It was the second time Roy won it. This was his last year as coach. If he isn’t hired, he’ll move upstairs with the Remparts.

With Roy likely out, that leaves the Rangers with potentially four candidates. They can go with an established coach who’s been successful. Laviolette checks off those boxes, having won a Stanley Cup and taking three teams (Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators) to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Hynes is close to Drury. He has coached both the Devils and Predators. A disciplinarian who emphasizes defense, he’s never made it out of the first round. Most interesting, Hynes replaced Laviolette in Nashville. He made the playoffs twice with the Preds just missing out to the Jets this year.

If the Blueshirts opt for someone with less experience, then they could stay in-house and promote Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch. A successful coach who once helped guide the Erie Otters to the OHL Championship, he parlayed his junior success with the Kootenay Ice and Erie Otters by becoming a Flyers assistant for two seasons.

Since departing the Flyers, he’s been behind the bench of the Hartford Wolf Pack the last four seasons. The Wolf Pack reached the third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs before losing to the Hershey Bears. Given his familiarity with some young players, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hire Knoblauch. He’s paid his dues.

The question is, would the Rangers really put their trust in an unproven coach who’s only been behind the bench on an emergency basis due to Covid? Given how the organization operates with all the pressure now on Drury to deliver a winner, that could mean a conservative choice like Laviolette or Hynes. Is that the way to go? I have my reservations.

There’s also Seattle Kraken assistant Jay Leach available. The Rangers have yet to schedule an interview with him. A former player who played in 70 NHL games, he was a former assistant coach on Sullivan’s staff when he ran Wilkes-Barre Scranton. He also served as an assistant for the Providence Bruins. Eventually, he coached them before getting hired by the Kraken to be an assistant coach to Dave Hakstol in Seattle. Now 43, Leach is hoping to land an NHL position. Will either Calgary or New York consider him?

At this point, only time will tell what the Rangers decide. With Joel Quenneville still not cleared to return to the NHL following his suspension for his knowledge of the sexual assault that happened to former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach, it doesn’t seem realistic that he would be an option. Even if he becomes available, hiring him would be a public relations nightmare. Fans are divided on him. I remain steadfastly against it. I can’t support it.

It really seems like it’s going to be either Laviolette or Hynes. While you can at least rationalize hiring Laviolette due to his resume, everyone I’ve spoken to is against Hynes. It would almost feel like Drury was going with a buddy who can be controlled. That wouldn’t sit well with fans. If that’s really what they do, then Drury may as well get behind the bench. It’s his job on the line.

Whatever happens following the decision, the next two years will likely determine the fate of Igor Shesterkin. Signed through 2024-25 at a cap friendly hit of $5.67 million, he wants to win badly. It would be unacceptable if the Rangers fail to do so with an elite goalie of Shesterkin’s caliber in his prime.

Can they succeed in a very tough Eastern Conference that will continue to improve due to the emergence of the Sabres and Senators? Whoever is hired will be under the pressure cooker.

As the Stanley Cup reaches its conclusion, the Rangers must have a new coach in place before the NHL Draft. Following Draft Weekend in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, July 1 looms. That’s when key decisions will be made by the organization on restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller.

They’ll also decide on unrestricted free agent Tyler Motte, who is a realistic option to re-sign over Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, who had hip resurfacing surgery. He’s expected to be out 4 to 6 months. That could affect the market.

There’s also the issue of backup goalie. Jaroslav Halak did a fine job. After a slow start, the well-respected veteran settled in to become a trusted second goalie behind Shesterkin. For some of his flaws, Gerard Gallant did a good job utilizing Halak to spell Shesterkin, who made a career high 58 starts. If Halak is open to a return at slightly over a million, I’d consider bringing him back. If not, there aren’t many options. Unless you think Thomas Greiss can rebound. It’s slim pickings.

With just over $11.7 million to work with, how much of that will be tied into Lafreniere and Miller? You hope both accept bridge deals. Miller is dealing from a position of strength while Lafreniere isn’t. I still wouldn’t go long-term with Miller, whose first round was underwhelming following a career best 43-point regular season. He still needs to improve defensively.

If Niko Mikkola leaves, that opens up a spot on defense. What will Drury decide? Is Zac Jones going to get another chance? They wisely re-signed vet Ben Harpur, who can be the seventh defenseman. So, they could go the cheaper route.

I wouldn’t mind the Rangers going after a high energy depth forward, who brings grit to the table. If Barclay Goodrow is subtracted due to his lofty $3.6 million cap hit, that could free up space for another key move. We’ll see what happens.

For now, the Rangers are in a holding pattern. They’re an unsolved mystery. Cue Robert Stack.