For the third time since 2021, the New York Rangers are looking for a new head coach. Two days after the season finale against the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York announced that the organization parted ways with Peter Laviolette.
The Rangers have fired coach Peter Laviolette. pic.twitter.com/y8KzMTyys4
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 19, 2025
In two seasons with the Blueshirts, Laviolette had a record of 94-59-11, but it was a tale of two different seasons. In Laviolette's first year behind the bench, the Rangers set franchise records for wins and points, and the year after, New York became the fourth organization ever to miss the postseason after winning the Presidents' Trophy.
Now, New York is looking for a new person behind the bench to lead a team that will be a lot different in October 2025. General manager Chris Drury said that the Rangers will explore almost anything, and the message is simple: the Blueshirts need someone behind the bench that will establish an identity, motivate players and have the team ready to play every night.
Here's a few potential coaching candidates to look out for in what should be a wide-ranging coaching search.
Mike Sullivan
There are obvious ties between Drury and Sullivan, and there has been smoke behind Sullivan coming to New York amidst a few poor seasons in Pittsburgh. But, the two-time Stanley Cup champion still has two years remaining on his contract, and he stated that he has the intention of coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
Though, if there is any chance, expect New York to probe around the situation. Sullivan would solve a lot of the Rangers' problems, from bringing Stanley Cup experience to establishing an identity.
But, why would Sullivan leave a Penguins team that still has one of the best players in the world in Sidney Crosby? There are questions about what New York will look like next season, and Sullivan can come in and bring some personnel with him.
This is unlikely, but expect smoke.
John Tortorella
If Tortorella returns to the Blueshirts, it would be his third tenure in New York. He was the Rangers' head coach from 2009 to 2013, leading New York to its third ever 50-win season and winning playoff series in multiple seasons. But he also coached the Blueshirts to a 0-3-1-0 record during the 1999-00 season after John Muckler was fired on the same day as General Manager Neil Smith.
Just like Laviolette, Tortorella is one of the winningest American coaches in NHL history. He is outspoken and not afraid to speak what is on my mind, and he would surely bring in accountability that the Rangers seemed to lack.
But, in recent seasons, results have been hard to find for Tortorella-led squads. Since the 2019-20 season, his teams have failed to eclipse 40 wins, twice with the Columbus Blue Jackets and three times with the Philadelphia Flyers.
His experience and pedigree is undoubtable, including leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004 and pulling off one of the biggest first round upsets in NHL history with the Blue Jackets over Tampa Bay. But, recent history might make it hard to bring him back.
David Carle
With Drury stating that the Rangers are not against bringing in a first-time head coach, Carle becomes an intriguing fit. The 35-year-old won two national championships at the University of Denver in 2022 and 2024 and also won back-to-back gold medals with the United States at the World Junior Championships.
Carle has coached two of New York's youngsters in Gabe Perrault and Drew Fortescue, and with more youth expected to play pivotal roles, Carle can come in and get the best out of them.
While it's not expected to be the Rangers, New York will definitely inquire about Carle as it explores all options.
Rick Tocchet
On Vancouver exit day, Canucks president hockey of operations Jim Rutherford said that the team will not exercise its option for Tocchet. This quote from Rutherford is worth noting:
"We don't feel it's right to have somebody here that may have his mind somewhere else,"
While this season in Vancouver was not a good one, Tocchet is a year removed from leading the Canucks to first in the Pacific Division and a playoff series win over the Nashville Predators. There is an obvious connection to current Rangers J.T. Miller and Carson Soucy, both of who played under Tocchet out west.
A lot of the Canucks season this year was swallowed by off-ice issues, such as the all-but-confirmed feud between Miller and Elias Petterson. But, with the Rangers, Tocchet can bring some stability.
Jay Woodcroft
Woodcroft had a tumultous year-and-a-half in Edmonton, leading the Oilers to the Western Conference semifinals in 2023 before being fired in 2024. Edmonton made the Stanley Cup Final with Woodcroft's replacement, Kris Knoblauch, behind the bench.
While Woodcroft deployed a conservative defensive system in Edmonton, bad goaltending was always the pitfall. That won't be the case in New York with Igor Shesterkin in net.
But, at the same time, Woodcroft had two of the best players in the league in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, meaning that he was able to use a conservative system then rely on these two to do something special. With the Rangers unsure of a lot of the lineup, his coaching style might or might not work.
Regardless, he can be an intriguing option.
Other candidates to follow
Along with the ones listed above, here are a few other possible Rangers coaching options as the organization explores all avenues.