The New York Rangers are undergoing significant changes this offseason, from potential player movement to a revamped coaching staff under new bench boss Mike Sullivan. Here's a breakdown of the latest news and rumors surrounding the team:
Coaching Staff Overhaul
Mike Sullivan is assembling his coaching staff, and it's shaping up to have a strong Boston connection. David Quinn, Joe Sacco, and Ty Hennes are all expected to join Sullivan behind the Rangers' bench. This news comes shortly after Dan Muse, an assistant from Peter Laviolette's staff, departed to become the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jeff Malcolm (goaltending coach) and Christian Hmura (skills coach) are the only holdovers from the previous regime.
David Quinn's Return: Perhaps the most notable addition is David Quinn, who previously served as the Rangers' head coach from 2018 to 2021. Quinn's return is somewhat surprising, considering he was fired by General Manager Chris Drury after the 2021 season. After leaving the Rangers, Quinn coached the U.S. Olympic team and the San Jose Sharks before joining Sullivan's staff in Pittsburgh last season. Despite a less-than-stellar head coaching record with the Rangers (96-86-25), Quinn's familiarity with Sullivan and his potential to improve the power play (where he had success in Pittsburgh) could be valuable assets. However, some fans may be wary, blaming Quinn for the underwhelming development of young players like Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere during his previous tenure.
Joe Sacco's Arrival: Joe Sacco joins the Rangers after an 11-year stint with the Boston Bruins, most recently serving as their interim head coach. Sacco took over behind the Bruins bench in November. Sacco has a reputation for his direct communication style and is expected to work with the Rangers' forwards and penalty kill units. His experience and success in Boston, particularly with the penalty kill, could significantly benefit the Rangers.
Ty Hennes Follows Sullivan: Ty Hennes, who has worked with Sullivan in Pittsburgh for several years, is also expected to join the Rangers as an assistant coach. Hennes previously served as a skills coach for the Penguins before being promoted to assistant coach in 2022.
K'Andre Miller Trade Rumors
Defenseman K'Andre Miller's future with the Rangers is uncertain, as he has become a prominent name in trade rumors. With Miller being a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer, the Rangers may be exploring their options, considering his potential value and the team's salary cap situation.
Chris Kreider's Future
Chris Kreider, a long-time Ranger and key offensive contributor, is another player whose name has surfaced in trade discussions. Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Kreider's production dipped this past season, leading to speculation about his future with the team.
Kreider's Desire to Stay: Despite the rumors, Kreider has expressed his desire to remain with the Rangers. He stated that New York is "home" for him and that he wants to continue his career with the organization. Kreider is also within striking distance of several franchise records, which could factor into his decision.
Potential Trade Scenarios: One hypothetical trade scenario involves Kreider being dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly. However, Kreider has a 15-team no-trade list, which could complicate any potential deal.
Kreider dealt with injuries this past season, and will be turning 34 at the start of next season.
