The New York Rangers have announced they have parted ways with head coach Peter Laviolette following the team’s third straight defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins.
Laviolette, who took over the Rangers’ head coaching role in the summer of 2023, was dismissed after the team’s disappointing 4-1 loss to the Bruins on February 3, 2025, dropping the Rangers’ record to 3-6 in their last nine games. The loss to the Bruins was their third consecutive defeat against Boston, which has become a serious hurdle for the Rangers in recent matchups.
Rangers’ general manager, Chris Drury, expressed regret over the decision but emphasized the need for change in light of the team’s recent struggles. “We have the utmost respect for Peter as a coach and as a person, but the direction of the team is not where it needs to be,” Drury said in a statement. “This was a difficult decision, but one that we believe is necessary to get our team back on track.”
Under Laviolette, the Rangers showed flashes of promise, particularly in the regular season, but inconsistencies on both ends of the ice and inability to win key matchups against divisional rivals ultimately led to his downfall.
The Rangers are now tasked with finding a replacement who can get the team back to its competitive level. As of now, assistant coach Gord Murphy will take over as interim head coach, with the team looking to regroup and make a push for the playoffs in the coming weeks.
The decision marks a significant turning point for the Rangers, who have been seeking to build a championship-contending roster in recent seasons. With a talented roster that includes stars such as Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers’ management will be looking for a coach who can lead them through the next chapter of their journey.
As for Laviolette, his future remains uncertain, but the veteran coach has had a storied career in the NHL, with previous stints at the helm of the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes.
The Rangers will next take the ice on February 5, where they will face the New Jersey Devils.
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