Two shocking head coach candidates have emerged for the New York Rangers next season

The New York Rangers have parted ways with Head Coach Peter Laviolette in a season that should be buried and committed to memory, as something never to replicate.

The Presidents' Trophy curse is real.

The team finished 5th in the Metropolitan Division and narrowly missed a trip to the playoffs in 2025 despite their best efforts.

Now that Peter Laviolette is on the hunt for a new job in the NHL, here are three coaches the Rangers could explore hiring when the time comes.

According to Mollie Walker of the New York Post, he would be a prime candidate for Chris Drury to pry away from the Pittsburgh Penguins if he could.

Sullivan has won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins and has stated that he intends to remain with the team for the long haul. GM Kyle Dubas may have other ideas at play.

Sullivan has coached the Penguins for a decade with a record of 753-409-255-89, 907 points, and a .602 regular season record.

They could look to another original six squad, as the Bruins could have an option for a new NHL head coach who hasn't been a part of the coaching carousel before.

Leach is an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins, helping Joe Sacco guide the team.

Leach's last coaching gig was in the AHL with the Providence Bruins during the 2020-2021 season. His record to end the shortened year was 25-15-6-4, with a .688 winning percentage.

Given how well AHL coaches who've been promoted to the NHL have done, for example, Sheldon Keefe and Spencer Carberry, it wouldn't be unreasonable to give someone like Leach a look when it comes to filling the role.