And so the search is on for the Rangers’ fourth coach since Mike Keenan’s abrupt yet orchestrated departure in July of 1994. The search is on for the individual who can both bring the Rangers back to prominence and who can recruit the necessary high-powered free agents to Manhattan.
Glen Sather confirmed the obvious yesterday in announcing that he would not renew Ron Low’s contract for next season. A coach with integrity second to none, Low was done in by his aggregate record of 69-81-9-5 in two years during which the Rangers were last and next-to-last in league defense, next-to-last and last in penalty-killing, respectively, and by his refusal to bench anyone except the club’s most marginal athletes.
“I’m not trying to blame anybody; that’s just the way it is,” Sather said. “We all have to share in the blame for not making the playoffs the last two years, I don’t want to say that it’s just the coach’s responsibility, but we need to go into next year with a fresh start and fresh ideas.”
Sather acknowledged having received permission from Dallas to speak to Ken Hitchcock, the 1999 Cup winner who was dismissed in late January. It’s difficult to find anyone with much good to say about Hitchcock’s abrasive style – including those with whom he worked as an assistant coach for Canada’s golden Olympic run in Salt Lake.
“I want to leave everything open; I don’t want to close any doors,” Sather said. “I’m looking more for the personality of the individual than of the style he might been known for coaching.”
Guy Carbonneau, currently a Montreal assistant and the key member of the veteran leadership council in Dallas that ran interference between Hitchcock and the Stars, is definitely a hot-button candidate. But Carbonneau – who has a magnificent reputation – is believed likely to return to the Stars to succeed Rick Wilson, who finished the season behind the team’s bench.
Herb Brooks is interested, obviously capable, can handle talent and New York, and would be a magnificent recruiter, what with U.S. Olympians Chris Chelios, Billy Guerin, Tony Amonte and Scott Young all coming up on July 1 free agency, and with Brian Leetch – abysmal for about six weeks bookending his fine work in Salt Lake – so critical to the team’s immediate future.
Sather said that John Paddock, who does nothing but win and earn rave reviews in Hartford, is a candidate, but Paddock was passed over two years ago. Tom Renney, currently the Ranger personnel director and a former NHL coach, will be considered if he indicates an interest. Jim Schoenfeld, definitely big enough for Broadway, should merit a look, no doubt about that, and so too, should Slava Fetisov, who knows as much hockey as anyone.
The Devils probably wouldn’t give Larry Robinson permission to take the job even if it were offered. And then there are those who are likely to be dismissed and available if their teams go out early in the playoffs, such as St. Louis’ Joel Quenneville and Ottawa’s Jacques Martin.
In addition, there is another assistant Sather should talk to before doing anything hasty, like hiring Hitchcock. One other assistant with a winning pedigree who merits serious consideration. Six Cups as a player, one as an assistant – does the name Bryan Trottier ring a bell?
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Sather has offered Low another job in the organization. The GM said that decisions on the future of assistants Walt Kyle, whose contract has expired, and Ted Green, whose has not, will be left to the next head coach.