Peter Laviolette Fired as Rangers HC After Missing 2025 NHL Playoff Bracket

After a 16-win decrease from last season and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22, the New York Rangers are making a change at head coach.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury announced on Saturday that Peter Laviolette has been fired after two seasons.

"Today I informed Peter Laviolette and (associated head coach) Phil Housley that we’re making a coaching change. I want to thank them both and wish them and their families all the best going forward. Peter is first class all the way, both professionally and personally, and I am truly grateful for his passion and dedication to the Rangers in his time as head coach."

Laviolette was hired by the Rangers in June 2023 after Gerard Gallant was fired following a first-round playoff loss to the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers responded well to the change in head coach. They won the Presidents' Trophy with a franchise-record 114 points in 2023-24. It was their first time finishing with the league's best record since the 2014-15 season.

After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers' dream season came to an end in six games to the Florida Panthers.

This season was a huge step back for the organization due in part to significant declines from several key players. Artemi Panarin, who finished fourth in points during the 2023-24 season (120), had 89 in 80 games. Vincent Trochek's point total dropped from 77 to 59.

The Rangers finished 39-36-7 and 89 points. It was their fewest wins and points in an 82-game season since the 2018-19 season.

Even though Laviolette's dismissal is justifiable from a performance standpoint, it does add to the ongoing instability for the Rangers. The next coach will be their fourth different one since the 2020-21 season.

This move does suggest that Drury will remain in his post as GM that he's held since May 2021. The pressure figures to be on him in the wake of a disappointing 2024-25 and hiring his third different coach.