Rangers mutually part ways with head coach Gerard Gallant

The New York Rangers have mutually agreed to part ways with head coach Gerard Gallant.

The move comes days after the New Jersey Devils eliminated the Rangers from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Rangers had a 2-0 series lead before a goaltending change seemed to spark the Devils with new life. It was a significant step back for the Rangers, who advanced to the Eastern Conference final in 2022.

Gallant was originally hired by the Rangers in 2021, just a month after coaching Canada to gold at the men’s World Hockey Championship. Gallant has also previously worked for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights. His Stanley Cup final trip with the upstart Golden Knights in 2018 was a major career highlight.

Gallant was the 36th coach in Rangers team history, taking over from David Quinn who served from 2018-21. Tom Renney (2004-09), John Tortorella (2009-13) and Alain Vigneault (2013-18) have also served the rule during the salary cap era.

It will be a summer of retooling for the Rangers, who are expected to move on from at least one of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane due to cap constraints. K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere are key RFAs this summer, as well.

Looking at the NHL landscape as a whole, New York is now the fifth team to make a postseason coaching change, following in the footsteps of the Blue Jackets, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals.