The New York Rangers made headlines by parting ways with head coach Peter Laviolette after just two seasons, following a disappointing season that saw them fail to qualify for the playoffs. Though they had high hopes after a strong previous season where they reached the Eastern Conference Finals, Laviolette's team finished with a record of 39-36-6, missing the postseason by six points.

General Manager Chris Drury expressed gratitude for Laviolette's efforts but acknowledged the need for change to align with the organization's future goals. The Rangers' struggles were evident in various setbacks, including a notably poor performance during the mid-season, with a record of 5-16-0 from late November to early January.