Given his history, Gerard Gallant's departure not a surprise

It has been less than a week since the team’s elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs at the hands of the rival New Jersey Devils and this news should not come as a surprise.

The Rangers went to the Eastern Conference final in the 2021-22 season and had their sights set on a Stanley Cup this season, only to fall short in spectacular fashion by blowing a 2-0 series lead in the first round. 

Gallant was at times ornery at his end-of-season news conference, especially when the subject of him being let go came up.

In addition to the disappointment of this season, Gallant’s past coaching career indicates that this was a strong possibility. In three previous stints as an NHL head coach, Gallant has never coached three full seasons. 

The closest he got was when he coached 213 games over 2 1/2 seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, his most recent team before New York. This past season was Gallant’s second behind the Rangers bench, so history has repeated itself.

“I want to first thank Gerard for his work and commitment to the Rangers during his time as head coach,” Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. “I have a ton of respect for Gerard as both a coach and person and truly appreciate everything he did for us on and off the ice these last two seasons.

“After my evaluation of the season and discussions with Gerard, we mutually came to the conclusion that a change would be beneficial for both parties. I wish he and his family all the best in the future. Our search for a new head coach will begin right away.”

Now with a vacancy to fill, the Rangers have plenty of options. The team’s AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, just advanced to the Atlantic Division finals under the leadership of Kris Knoblauch, making him an intriguing internal promotion candidate. 

Some reports have also connected the Rangers to Joel Quenneville, who would need to be reinstated by the NHL after his connection to the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal.

Whether the Rangers go with an established coach like Quenneville or a new face in the mold of Knoblauch, the goal will be clear: win a title. This is a team that was constructed to win now and not doing so is what ultimately cost Gallant his job.