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Stanley Cup-Winning Head Coach Fired On Saturday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Apr 19, 2025 9:23 PM ET

The New York Rangers made their first big change of the offseason on Saturday.

They fired head coach Peter Laviolette after only two seasons on the job. He led them to the Presidents' Trophy and the Eastern Conference Final last season before they lost to the Florida Panthers in six games.

They had sky-high expectations coming into the 2024-25 season but didn't come close to meeting them, finishing the season with a 39-36-7 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

“Today I informed Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley that we’re making a coaching change," Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement, via the team's website. “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."

Rangers announce coaching changes

More info: https://t.co/xRBMS6sqUT
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 19, 2025

This was a move that fans expected since it felt like Laviolette lost the locker room as the season went on.

Laviolette has coached six teams during his coaching career (New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers) and won the Stanley Cup as head coach of the Hurricanes during the 2005-06 season.

He has compiled a 846-562-25 record as a head coach and has made 14 playoff appearances in addition to winning the Stanley Cup.

The Anaheim Ducks also made a coaching change on Saturday, firing Greg Cronin after two seasons. The Ducks missed the playoffs in both seasons with Cronin behind the bench, and he finished with a 62-87-15 record.

Both teams will start their head-coaching searches right away. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers are also looking for new head coaches going into the 2025-26 season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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