A look at potential candidates for the Rangers’ coaching position:
MARK MESSIER: A special assistant to club president Glen Sather, No. 11 would introduce a fresh dynamic and philosophy to the equation. A believer in attack hockey and in talent, Messier could become part of a coaching staff including assistants Adam Graves and Brian Leetch if the Rangers are image-conscious in their search.
DALLAS EAKINS: Has been coach of the AHL Marlies for the last four years, a developer of young talent such as Nazem Kadri.
LINDY RUFF: Dismissed as Sabres coach on Feb. 20 after 14-plus seasons behind the Buffalo bench that featured one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 and three to the conference finals.
ALAIN VIGNEAULT: Fired after seven seasons with Canucks, led Vancouver to back-to-back President’s Trophies in 2010-11 and 2011-12 while coming within a game of the Stanley Cup in 2011.
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DAVE TIPPETT: Defense-first coach, under contract until June 30 with Phoenix, has made the most out of limited-budget Coyotes, who hope to retain him.
PAUL MAURICE: Former coach of the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs, worked this year in the KHL for Metallurg.
MIKE KEENAN: The only coach in the last 73 years to win the Stanley Cup for the Rangers, recently signed a three-year deal to go behind the bench of KHL Magnitogorsk, but deal is believed to contain NHL out-clause.