Rangers fire head coach Peter Laviolette after lackluster season

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After a disappointing season, the New York Rangers announced on Saturday that they had made the decision to part ways with head coach Peter Laviolette after just two seasons. Associate head coach Phil Housley was also relieved of his duties, according to the team. 

The Rangers were 39-36-7 this season and missed the playoffs a year after they won the President’s Trophy and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

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New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette speaks with the media after a 5-3 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2025.  (Danny Wild-Imagn Images)

Laviolette, 60, had a 94-59-11 record in his two seasons at the helm in New York. The Rangers had their best regular season in franchise history with him in the 2023-2024 season, when they had a team-record of 114 points and 55 wins. 

"Today I informed Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley that we’re making a coaching change," Rangers general manager Chris Drury said in a statement. "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."

"After finishing with the best regular season record in the NHL a year ago and making a trip to the Eastern Conference Final, we came into this season with high expectations for ourselves. Quite simply, we failed to meet those expectations. We must all do better – myself included."

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