In a surprising twist, the New York Rangers have fired head coach Peter Laviolette following a disappointing season where the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.

The Rangers entered the 2024 season with high hopes, having won the Presidents’ Trophy and reached the Eastern Conference finals just a year prior. But after finishing with a lackluster record of 39-36-7, their dreams of a Stanley Cup vanished.

Laviolette, who boasts a remarkable coaching tenure including a Stanley Cup victory in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes, concluded his stint in New York with a record of 94 wins, 59 losses, and 11 overtime losses. Known for quick successes early in his tenures, Laviolette’s teams often struggled as seasons progressed—an unfortunate trend that repeated itself with the Rangers.

This season was marked by drama and underperformance, with key players notably regressing. Star forward Chris Kreider plummeted from 39 goals and 75 points to a mere 22 goals and 30 points. Similarly, prominent players like Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, and Artemi Panarin saw their scoring dip significantly.

Defensive issues plagued the team as they failed to establish any consistency. The Rangers couldn’t muster a winning streak longer than two games after November. Their goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, performed valiantly, ranking sixth in goals saved above expected, but it wasn't enough to save the season.

Off the ice, the Rangers faced turmoil as well. General manager Chris Drury’s controversial decisions frustrated players, including the waiver situation involving Barclay Goodrow and a strained relationship that led to the trade of captain Jacob Trouba.

Amidst ongoing struggles, players voiced their dissatisfaction with their roles, highlighting internal discord. Kaapo Kakko, after being a healthy scratch, expressed his frustration—only to be traded shortly after. The situation reached a boiling point when Calvin de Haan criticized the treatment of players on the bench.

Despite a more stable performance in early 2025, the Rangers fell short of securing a playoff spot, concluding their season with a disappointing stretch that saw them miss the postseason amidst challenges on and off the ice.

Adding to the tumult, reports surfaced just before the season's end regarding allegations involving star player Artemi Panarin, which further clouded the organization’s image.

In light of their dismal performance, Laviolette acknowledged that a coaching change was a possibility after such a challenging season. And now, as the Rangers search for their fourth head coach since 2018, they face the daunting task of rebuilding while aiming for future success.

In a statement, GM Chris Drury expressed gratitude towards Laviolette, noting the high expectations set for the season and admitting the team’s failure to meet them. The Rangers are ready to embark on a new chapter as they begin their quest for a new head coach.