After a disappointing season, the New York Rangers announced Saturday that they decided to separate from head coach Peter Laviolette after just two seasons. Deputy head coach Phil Housley also removed his duties, according to the team.
The Rangers missed the playoffs a year after winning the President's Trophy and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals with a record 39-36-7 this season.
Click here for more sports reports on FoxNews.com
On March 22, 2025, New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette spoke to the media after a 5-3 victory against the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden. (Danny Wild-Imagn image)
Laviolette, 60, has a record of 94-59-11 in his two seasons in New York. The Rangers had the best regular season in his franchise history during the 2023-2024 season, when they scored a team record of 114 points and 55 wins.
“Today, I told Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley that we are making a coaching change,” Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. “I want to thank both of them and wish them and their families all the best. Peter has been a professional and personal first class and I really appreciate his passion and dedication to the Rangers during his time as head coach.”
“We had high expectations for ourselves after finishing with the NHL's best regular season a year ago and heading to the Eastern Conference finals. In short, we failed to meet those expectations. We had to do better – myself, myself included.”
Sexual assault allegations against NHL star Artemi Panarin are revealed after resolution: Report
New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette directed his team as left-wing Artemi Panarin (10), Chris Kreider (20) and Brennan Othmann (78) played against the San Jose Sharks on March 29, 2025 at the SAP Center in San Jose. (Robert Edwards-Imagn image)
“As we move into next season and beyond, I feel it is necessary to give us the best chance to achieve our goals as an organization. Our search for a new head coach will start right away.”
Rangers are the sixth team, Laviolette has been his head coach throughout his career. Prior to joining the Rangers, he coached Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.
Entering this season, the Rangers have high expectations after they missed the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers last season. However, Rangers are hurt by the inconsistent performance of many of their top players.
Click here to get the Fox News app
New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette walked down the ice after losing the Carolina Hurricane at the Lenovo Center on April 12, 2025. (James Guillory-Imagn image)
Forward Mika Zibanejad scored 20 goals this season and scored 62 points this season after scoring 26 goals and 72 points last season. Chris Kreider had 39 goals and 76 points last season, and only 22 goals and 30 points this season.
Zibanejad and Kreider are just two of the many Rangers who have taken a step back in production this season.
The departure of Laviolette and Housley is likely the first of many Rangers in the offseason as general manager Chris Drury hopes to work hard all year round.
Follow Fox News Numbers Motion Report on Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Grocery Newsletter.
