Chris Drury not limiting Rangers coaching search after Peter Laviolette firing with own seat heating up

There was no reason to delay, no reason to have a Gerard Gallant 2.0-type situation.

There was no doubt Peter Laviolette had to be relieved of his Rangers head-coaching duties, after the second-year bench boss oversaw one of the steepest downfalls from season to season in NHL history.

The Rangers made it official Saturday afternoon to avoid trotting out Laviolette on break-up day Monday to face the scrutiny — unlike Gallant, who was canned three days after fielding questions following the team’s first-round exit two years ago.

It is just as clear now as it was then that a fresh start is needed.

There was no need to drag it out.

Peter Laviolette reacts during the Rangers’ game against the Kings on March 25.

So the Rangers are on the hunt for their fourth coach since the 2020-21 season, with Laviolette following Gallant (2021-23) and David Quinn (2018-21) out the door in the past four years.

Associate head coach Phil Housley was also fired, but assistant coaches Dan Muse and Michael Peca will have the chance to interview for the next coaching staff, according to a source.

“Leading into the season, given the success we had the last few years, we had high expectations. Quite simply, we fell short across the board,” president and general manager Chris Drury said on a conference call Saturday. “Nobody here takes it lightly. We know our fans are frustrated, and they deserve a better season than this. It starts with me. I need to do a better job, and give the staff and players the opportunity to succeed.

“And while ultimately I made the decision a new voice was needed behind the bench, everyone here — players, management, staff — need to take ownership of this season and will be having direct, honest conversations during exit meetings on Monday about what our expectations are for the summer and moving forward, getting ready for next season.”

Peter Laviolette is pictured during the Rangers’ game against the Lightning on April 17.

Chris Drury addresses reporters during a press conference in May 2024.

The Blueshirts became the sixth team to hire and fire Laviolette, who finished his New York tenure with a regular-season record of 94-59-11 and a 10-6 playoff record.

Everything seemed to go right in Laviolette’s first season with the Rangers.

Not only did the team set franchise records for wins (55) and points (114) in a single season, but the club won the Presidents’ Trophy and came two wins away from a Stanley Cup Final berth for the second time in three seasons, falling in the conference final to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Panthers.

The Rangers also led the entire NHL in comeback victories (28) under Laviolette in 2023-24.

He became the first head coach in NHL history to guide six different teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Then everything seemed to go wrong this season for the Rangers, who took a tremendous step back in all facets of their game and missed the postseason for the first time in four years.

Drury was asked if the team had a culture issue, about the multitude of players who expressed their frustrations this season and what he feels the team needs.

Despite answering all of the aforementioned questions with a variation of a similar response — that he’ll be evaluating everything — Drury did say he was wide open going into this coaching search.

“I’m not going at this with any preset dispositions,” he said. “If it’s a first-time coach and it’s the best fit, great. As far as what the team needs, again, we’re just trying to find the best fit we can to do what we need to do. … We’re looking at a lot of different scenarios and a lot of different candidates.”

As has become customary during Drury’s tenure, the Zoom call was cut off at 11 minutes, with several beat writers still raising their virtual hands with questions.

Peter Laviolette addresses reporters after the Rangers’ loss to the Oilers on March 16.

Drury declined to reveal his private conversations with owner James Dolan on the status of his job security, but assured his focus is on doing what he can to make the Rangers organization better.

It has been expected that Drury would remain, though his seat can only grow hotter from here.

“We’re obviously all frustrated and disappointed with how things ended and not being in the playoffs,” Drury said. “My focus is on doing everything I can to make sure we’re a playoff team next year.”