It’s official. The Rangers have hired Peter Laviolette as the new coach. He becomes the 37th coach in franchise history. He takes over for Gerard Gallant, who had success by posting a 99-46-19 record for the second best winning percentage in team history.

Gallant’s first season saw the Rangers make the Conference Finals. They lost to the Lightning. After a second straight year of posting over 100 points, they suffered a disappointing seven-game first round series loss to the Devils. That was enough for Team President and GM Chris Drury to part ways with Gallant.

It took a while for the Rangers to make a final decision on the new coach. They interviewed Laviolette twice and also considered John Hynes. Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch was interviewed. They never considered Patrick Roy or the controversial Joel Quenneville. Credit Mollie Walker for getting it right on both.

As it turned out, the hold-up was due to the organization waiting to see what would happen in Pittsburgh and Toronto. It was fairly obvious that Drury had strong interest in Mike Sullivan. But new Team President Kyle Dubas decided to keep the Penguins bench boss. The Maple Leafs look to be retaining Sheldon Keefe after losing to the Panthers in the second round.

As Walker reported, the Rangers will introduce Laviolette next Tuesday at a press conference to make it official. He will get to bring in his own assistants. The organization let go of former assistant coach Gord Murphy. Hot tip to Arthur Staple.

Laviolette, 58, has been around the block for over two decades. He started out with the Islanders, getting them back to the playoffs in 2001-02 and 02-03. They were eliminated in the first round both times. His time in Long Island is best remembered for the memorable seven-game series against the Leafs. It was hard fought. But Toronto came out victorious. After losing to the Senators, the Islanders moved on.

Laviolette was hired by the Hurricanes in 2003-04. He replaced Paul Maurice. After missing the postseason, he guided the Hurricanes to a first place finish in 2005-06 with 112 points. After coming back to beat the Canadiens in the first round, they defeated the Devils to reach the Eastern Conference Final. There, they went back and forth with the Sabres before eliminating them in seven to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. It was there that they won the franchise’s only Cup by edging the Oilers in seven.

But following winning the Stanley Cup, the Hurricanes failed to reach the playoffs the following year. They became the first defending champion to do so since the Devils in 95-96. With the pressure on, Laviolette was dismissed in his third season 25 games in. Ironically, Maurice replaced him and led the club to the Conference Finals.

During 2009-10, Laviolette landed on his feet when the Flyers decided to make a change. He replaced John Stevens. He was able to get them in the playoffs. Once there, they defeated the Devils to advance to the second round. In a stunning upset, they successfully rallied from a 3-0 deficit to come back and defeat the Bruins in seven. They made history by joining the Islanders and Maple Leafs as the only teams to do so at that point. The Kings became the fourth in 2012.

The Flyers then took out the Canadiens in seven to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Matched up against the star-laden Blackhawks that featured dynamic duo Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Flyers put up a good fight. However, it was the Blackhawks that prevailed when Kane scored in overtime to stun the Flyers in six. Laviolette guided them to a second straight postseason. But after defeating the Sabres in seven, they lost to the eventual champion Bruins, who avenged the previous loss by sweeping the Flyers.

The next year, the Flyers again reached the postseason. They beat in-state rival Pittsburgh in a memorable first round that featured plenty of scoring and fights. But following the six-game series win that’s still fondly remembered, they were upset by the rival Devils in five. That was the beginning of the end for Laviolette, whose team missed the playoffs during the shortened season in 12-13. With his job clearly hanging in the balance, it only took three losses at the start of 2013-14 to fire him. It was absurd.

Laviolette eventually took over in Nashville for Barry Trotz. Starting in 2014-15, he had some success in Music City with the Predators. After a good first season where they won 47 games and had 104 points, they lost to the rival Blackhawks in six. The following year, Laviolette got them to the second round by edging the Ducks in seven. But they were ousted by the Sharks in the second round.

It was during 2016-17 that the Predators achieved their most success. After squeaking in with 94 points, they went on a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. They finally got the better of the Blackhawks by sweeping them. Then, they defeated the Blues in six to reach the Conference Finals. It was there that they defeated the higher seeded Ducks for a second consecutive year. This time, they did it in six to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

Although they had a very good team that featured Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, Mike Fisher, Viktor Arvidsson, James Neal, Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis, they were unable to defeat the Crosby/Malkin Penguins. They repeated as champs by taking the final two games after Nashville tied the series at two apiece. The Pens outscored the Preds 8-0 in Games 5 and 6.

Over the next two years, Laviolette continued to have success there. Ironically, the best season the Predators ever had was in 2017-18. They won 53 games and had 117 points for the top seed. But as often happens when you have a great regular season, it becomes harder to win. After defeating the Avalanche in six, they lost in seven on home ice to the Jets. Most discouraging is Winnipeg beat them 5-1 after they took Game 6 in enemy territory 4-0. Sometimes, the playoffs don’t make sense.

Following another good season, the Preds were eliminated in the first round by the Stars in six. That setback put Laviolette’s job on the line. Ironically, it was eerily similar to the path he took in Philadelphia. In the coaching business, it’s all about results. What have you done for me lately, basically. With the Predators struggling at the halfway point, Laviolette was dismissed in favor of Hynes. He got them to the playoffs, but they lost early. That became his undoing. Andrew Brunette recently replaced Hynes as Trotz’ choice. Go figure.

For the last three years, Laviolette spent his time in Washington DC. With the declining Capitals, he was there to see Alexander Ovechkin make history by passing Gordie Howe for second all-time in goals. However, after losing early the previous two seasons, the Caps failed to qualify for the playoffs. A mediocre third year doomed Laviolette, who refused to play some of the team’s young prospects. With Nicklas Backstrom struggling with his back and inconsistent defense and goaltending, it wasn’t a surprise they missed the postseason. They weren’t that good.

It was clear that the Caps wanted to go in another direction. They decided to let Laviolette go and hire Spencer Carberry. The former Leafs assistant is only 41. Even with an aging Ovechkin chasing Gretzky, the Capitals will look to rebuild. That’ll be interesting to watch considering Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s all-time goals record. He needs 72 to tie and 73 to pass the Great One. That could be done in two years when he’s 39.

Although Laviolette has an impressive resume, having won a Cup and guided three different teams to the Stanley Cup Finals, he’s a retread. The record speaks for itself. His 752 wins rank first all-time among American born coaches. John Tortorella is second with 704. Among active coaches, Laviolette is third trailing, Lindy Ruff (834) and Maurice (817). The Devils are expected to bring back Ruff following their breakthrough season.

The only question is, is Laviolette the right coach for the Rangers? That remains to be seen. It’s obvious that Drury’s trying to save face.

The first round ouster after adding big fish Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane was unacceptable. Especially when the team hardly competed in a lopsided Game 7 to the Hudson rival Devils. But that was his roster. Gallant was right when he voiced his displeasure. It lacked the grit they had in 2021-22. That’s why it was ridiculous what most thought about the talent. Talent doesn’t win. The best teams do.

Now, it’s Laviolette’s job to try to get the most out of a roster that features Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and the puzzling Artemi Panarin. A star player capable of 90-plus points who struggles in the playoffs. Can he change? Laviolette is tougher than Gallant. That $11.6 million cap hit isn’t going anywhere. It’s up to him to help Panarin produce when it matters most.

There are still questions for Drury as the off-season approaches. What will he decide on key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller? Lafreniere should be more affordable. Miller, who knows? If his agent plays games, I’d consider trading him. Given his age and skill set, there should be plenty of interest if he prices himself out. Look at the return the Flyers got for Ivan Provorov. Only time will tell what happens regarding Miller.

The Rangers have over $11 million in cap space. If they retain both Lafreniere and Miller, that’s at least half. What about Barclay Goodrow? He has a moderated no-trade clause. I would ask Laviolette his opinion on Goodrow, who’s an effective player if used properly. His role decreased due to Kane and Tarasenko. Maybe they decide to keep him and try Goodrow with Vincent Trocheck as part of a checking line. It depends on what’s discussed between Drury and Laviolette.

They need to decide on a backup goalie and sixth defenseman. I’d ask Jaroslav Halak if he wants to return. He was good in that role. The market isn’t great. As far as defense goes, a lot depends on Miller. Niko Mikkola was low maintenance and did a solid job. But he’ll probably sign elsewhere. I’m open to giving Zac Jones another chance. He’s proven himself with the Wolf Pack, who made a good run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. It’s time to find out about Jones and possibly Matthew Robertson. Don’t forget that Ben Harpur was re-signed.

Tyler Motte is a free agent. He’s much more affordable than either Tarasenko or Kane (hip resurfacing surgery). Motte again proved he was a good fit on the checking line and penalty kill. He indicated he would love to return. I’d love to see him stay. Adding another gritty physical forward in the mold of Garnet Hathaway is something they should explore. They weren’t tough enough.

Whatever happens, there will be pressure on both Drury and Laviolette. Either it works or disaster awaits. Shesterkin’s future depends on the next two years.