Who Will Drury Hire to Replace Gallant?

Well, at least this time Gerard Gallant didn't get fired on his way to the airport. Chris Drury had the good taste to do it in person, even if his explanation for making the move didn't pass the smell test. "Mutually agreed to part ways," my ass. I remember the last time I "mutually agreed to part ways" with an employer. I was walked back to my desk, gathered my personal belongings, and allowed to say goodbye to my former coworkers while I was being escorted out of the building. To paraphrase a line out of the movie Forrest Gump, "termination is as termination does."

So now that Gallant is out, who will replace him? Drury has made a lot of critical decisions over his tenure as President and GM; none more critical than this. For his own sake and that of the franchise, he cannot afford to screw it up.

But before we get to the available candidates, it needs to be acknowledged, if it hasn't already, the amazing job Rod Brind'Amour is doing behind the Carolina Hurricanes bench. Despite getting blown out by the Devils in game three in New Jersey, and with three key forwards out of the lineup due to injury, he has his team up two games to one. Maybe it would've been impossible for Drury to sign him two years ago, but for my money, that is the type of coach the Rangers need; one who's not only good with Xs and Os but who can motivate his players to play a disciplined style of hockey. Take a good look at the teams that are ahead in their respective series. It is not the stars who are leading the way, but the foot soldiers. That is a tribute to the men behind the bench.

And speaking of the men behind the bench, the list of candidates Drury will have to choose from will be minus one important name. Larry Brooks of The New York Post is reporting that Joel Quenneville will not be considered for the job. As I pointed out in my last piece, Quenneville certainly has the credentials to coach this team, but his conduct in the sexual assault of Kyle Beach in 2010 has tarnished his reputation, perhaps beyond repair. I'm guessing either James Dolan got cold feet or Drury simply put his foot down. Regardless, it's good news for the Rangers.

Peter Laviolette: Out of all the big names out there, he's probably the most qualified. He guided the Hurricanes to their one and only Stanley Cup in 2006, and he took two other teams to the Cup finals: the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017. He also kept a Washington Capitals team riddled with injuries in the playoff hunt going into the final few games of the season. A no-nonsense coach who demands accountability from his players and excels at Xs and Os, he's the closest to the Brind'Amour mold in both temperament and style as Drury is likely to find.

Andrew Brunette: After Quenneville was suspended by the NHL early in the 2021-22 season, Brunette took over the coaching duties and guided the Florida Panthers to their first and only Presidents' trophy. And for his efforts, he was replaced behind the bench this season by Paul Maurice. What impresses me most about Brunette is how he turned an underperforming team into an offensive juggernaut before the flaws finally caught up with them in the second round against the Tampa Bay Lightning, He's currently an assistant with the Devils so Drury would need permission to speak with him.

Kris Knoblauch: While it would be a reach for Drury to go this route, there are a couple of positive attributes that would make him a good choice. For starters, he has the Hartford Wolf Pack in the third round of the AHL playoffs with a lineup that consists of maybe three players who are NHL-caliber. Secondly, he's been behind the Rangers bench twice when David Quinn and Gallant both got Covid, so the players are familiar with him. And last but not least, he's considered a good teacher and a good motivator; the latter being something that could've come in handy in game seven against the Devils.

Mike Sullivan: Yes, he won back-to-back Cups his first two years in Pittsburgh, but the Penguins haven't gotten out of the first round since 2018, and this season failed to even make the playoffs. That ownership decided to fire GM Ron Hextall and President Brian Burke and keep Sullivan is an indication that they don't feel the problem is behind the bench but rather in the front office. Translation, if Drury wants him, he'll have to fork over a draft pick or two to get him. Doubtful that'll happen.

Bruce Boudreau: Yet another players' coach who got fired from his last gig, he makes Gallant look like John Tortorella. Somehow I don't see Drury going down the same rabbit hole twice, but you never know.

Mark Messier: What he accomplished as a player for this franchise will never be forgotten. And I must admit the idea of "The Captain" leading this team to only its second Stanley Cup championship since World War II is enticing. But just because Messier was a great player doesn't necessarily mean he would make a great coach, and like I wrote above, Drury can't afford to get this next decision wrong.

Darryl Sutter: If you think the exit interviews from Gallant's players sealed his fate, you should check out some of the ones Sutter got from his players in Calgary. Supposedly several demanded to be traded unless he was fired. There's no doubt Sutter can coach - he won two Cups in L.A.; the problem is the way he treats his players. Next to him, Mike Keenan was Father Flanagan.

Of the above choices, Laviolette is the safe one. But if I recall, we said the same thing about Gallant two years ago. While Knoblauch would be a risk, the upside could be huge. Drury has said he's going to take his time, but realistically, he'll need to fill the position soon. The entry draft is June 28 followed by the start of free agency July 1.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Laviolette becoming the next head coach, but then I had the Bruins, Avalanche and Rangers all advancing in the first round.