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The New York Rangers and coach Gerald Gallant bid farewell. Lost in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
The Rangers announced the change Saturday, less than a week after suffering a seven-game losing streak in the series to rival New Jersey Devils.
General Manager Chris Drury said in a statement: “I have the utmost respect for Gerard as a coach and as a person, and I appreciate everything he has done for us both on and off the ice over the past two seasons. “After an evaluation of the season and discussions with Gerald, we have mutually come to the conclusion that the changes are mutually beneficial. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.” I hope the search for a new head coach will begin soon.”
Gallant led New York to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022, his first season with the team, and was a finalist in the Jack Adams Trophy as Coach of the Year. He hasn’t had a full season in any of the league’s five head jobs in three straight years.
In a statement sent through the team, Gallant thanked owners James Dolan and Drury for the opportunity.
“The experience of coaching the Original Six series with such a rich history and incredibly passionate fanbase is one I will never forget,” said Gallant. “After talking with my family and Chris, it’s clear that this is the right decision for both me and the Rangers at this time.”
Gallant’s resignation wasn’t particularly surprising, but it came after 59 defended one’s position in an exit interview Earlier in the week, I called the set of questions “disappointing.”
“I can’t believe I have to answer some of these questions raised by the media about me being let go or fired,” Gallant said Wednesday. If you can’t stand it, then something is wrong.”
The Rangers are now searching for another coach in hopes of finding someone who can clinch their first Stanley Cup title since 1994. By NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Sexual assault scandal with Chicago Blackhawks from 2010 I will be stepping down from my job with the Florida Panthers in October 2021.
Two years ago, Drury thought Gallant was the right man to lead the Rangers. Hockey Drury transitioned to win-now mode after he took control when operations president John Davidson and his GM Jeff Gorton were fired by Dolan, veteran his coach fired by Vegas He hired Gallant a year and a half later.
Gallant and the Rangers finished second in the Metropolitan Division in their first year behind the bench and had an improbable run to the final of the East before losing to Tampa Bay.
As its playoff success raised expectations, the Rangers had an ups and downs regular season, brawling in the days leading up to the trade deadline. They acquired former cup champions Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane in a pair deal and finished third in the division to set up a showdown with the Devils.
The Rangers went on a three-game losing streak after winning the first two games of the series. This included Gallant’s rant about the team being “not good enough, not good at all”.
“We didn’t show up, we didn’t play hard enough, we didn’t compete enough,” Gallant said after Game 4. “Many bad things happened”
New York stave off a home loss to force Game 7. Despite lineup adjustments by Gallant, the Rangers lost his 4–0 and were knocked out.
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