Several NHL assistant coaches have now entered the New York Rangers radar for the 2025-26 season
It's been one week since the New York Rangers relieved Peter Laviolette and Phil Housley of their duties to which the team now begins its search and has several assistant coaches in the NHL to interview.
Newly re-signed general manager Chris Drury has told the New York Rangers faithful that he will not leave any stone unturned as he tries to take the Rangers into a new direction starting with their bench boss.
Several assistant coaches could be considered for Rangers
Over the past couple of years, many NHL teams have decided to bring in new blood into the coaching ranks and have looked at assistant coaches and coaches from the NCAA as possible replacements for the old guard that has been fired.
It would be in Drury's best interest to look at several assistant coaches that would give the team a different look, different voice and potentially different outcome after the disastrous year that happened in 2025.
Firstly, the Rangers could look internally as Rangers assistants Michael Peca and Dan Muse will be given the opportunity to interview for the job as Peca is considered a well-respected person within the organization for his experience and his intelligence when it comes to the game of hockey.
The 42-year-old Muse was the head coach of the United States National team development program where he helped mold and develop Rangers star prospect Gabe Perreault.
Despite being on the same bench as Laviolette both men would give the team a different voice as they would bring their ideas into the forefront.
Drury to consider many people in his search
Another name that has been rumored and linked to the Rangers is assistant coach Jessica Campbell of the Seattle Kraken.
The 32-year-old who has been an assistant for one season in the NHL has been breaking barriers within the league and the game of hockey as she has become the first female coach in the NHL.
Her experience also stretches as an assistant coach for the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds for two seasons, who are Seattle's American League hockey team.
It's likely Drury will give her a chance to interview as well since he brought her to the Rangers organization in 2022 as a coach in their prospects development camp and would bring a different perspective to the team.
Lastly, former New York Rangers defenseman Sylvain Lefebvre is another option to consider as he is a current assistant coach for the Florida Panthers.
His style of defence which is clearly seen with the Panthers game would give the Rangers at different look on the ice and could help the Rangers especially in the playoffs.
He is also a known winner as he had won a Stanley Cup with the Panthers last season, and he also won as a player with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.
With the winning pedigree and the suffocating defence, the Rangers could be far more competitive in the playoffs if they considered Lefebrve as their new bench boss.
In the end it's likely Drury will take his time and search and interview many people for the job as the Rangers have had bad luck when it comes to head coaching with three head coaches in their last four years.
Perhaps a new way forward is the way to go and will likely be one of many changes to come as the team and organization prepares for an overhaul for next season.
Source: Forever Blueshirts
8 NHL assistants for Rangers to consider as next coach, including Jessica Campbell
8 NHL assistants for Rangers to consider as next coach, including Jessica Campbell
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 27 | 1725 ANSWERS Several NHL assistant coaches have now entered the New York Rangers radar for the 2025-26 season Who would you hire as the new head coach for the Rangers? | ||
| Jessica Campbell | 194 | 11.2 % |
| Micheal Peca | 283 | 16.4 % |
| Sylvain Lefebvre | 55 | 3.2 % |
| Someone else | 1193 | 69.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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