In one of their first moves now that their season is officially over, the New York Rangers let Head Coach Peter Laviolette go after a 94-59-11 record and one of the worst years in franchise history. Associate head coach Phil Housley also was terminated, as announced on Saturday afternoon. Just hours after the news was announced, President and General Manager Chris Drury held a press conference to discuss the decision and answer questions.
Here's what we learned:
Right in the start of his opening remarks, Drury acknowledged that he knows the fan base is frustrated and for good reasons.
"We know our fans are frustrated and they deserve a better season than this. It starts with me. I need to do a better job and give the staff and players the opportunity to succeed. "Chris Drury
"Leading into the season, given the success we had the last few year, we had high expectations. Quite simply, we fell short across the board. Nobody here takes it lightly. We know our fans are frustrated and they deserve a better season than this. It starts with me. I need to do a better job and give the staff and players the opportunity to succeed. And while ultimately I made the decision a new voice was needed behind the bench, everyone here — players, management, staff — need to take ownership of this season and will be having direct, honest conversations during exit meetings on Monday about what our expectations are for the summer and moving forward, getting ready for next season."
"I can tell you my focus is on doing what I think is right to make this organization better. We're obviously all frustrated and disappointed with how things ended and not being in the playoffs. My focus is on doing everything I can do make sure we're a playoff team next year."
Drury also addressed the recent topic of culture issues in the franchise, across staffers and players.
"We're going to be looking at everything. Whether it's the specific question you ask or other things that have come up along the way this year that we've already begun to look at and looked at during the year. Unfortunately, we do have extra time with not being in the playoffs to look at a lot of things this offseason and, again, try and make sure we're back in the playoffs next year."