In what had been reported just almost everywhere but not made official until today, the Rangers hired Lindy Ruff as an assistant coach. The team's press release announcement did not mention what was happening with either Jeff Beukeboom or Scott Arniel, but in Beuk's case, it
it's fairly well known, while in Arniel's case, not so much. See below for what I have posted on June 11 and also what we known about Beukeboom.
My June 11 blog:
Per Elliotte Freedman's 30 thoughts this week:
4. New York Rangers associate coach Scott Arniel also interviewed with both Buffalo and Florida.
5. There are a lot of ties to Lindy Ruff in New York. Arniel played with him from 1986-89. Assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld was a teammate from 1979-81. Chris Drury, who just added the AHL Hartford GM title to his portfolio, was coached by Ruff from 2003-07. With those connections, it’s not a surprise to hear rumblings that Ruff was contacted by the Rangers about joining Alain Vigneault’s staff. I’m not sure where this stands right now, but it sounds like it was with the idea of making the group stronger, not forcing Vigneault to look over his shoulder.
Is Ruff in if Arniel leaves? Are the Rangers thinking of adding Ruff to the mix regardless of if Arniel or Jeff Beukeboom go? Ruff was one of the
finalists along with Vigneault, to replace to John Tortorella. Stylistically, he is more like Torts, meaning hard-nosed, which is the type of player he was, but much less acerbic. If he is brought in, does he work with the defense? Is it a warning sign to AV that if the team regresses or doesn't make it to the next level or Cup Finals next season, he is out of a job? Is this a Machiavellian move by GM Jeff Gorton and Glen Sather, just a way to improve the coaching staff or both?
On Beukeboom:
This is what GM Jeff Gorton said a few weeks ago about Beukeboom "As far as Jeff Beukeboom, we met with Jeff and we agreed on both sides to offer him another job. He wanted to do something else so we are going to put him in another role, yet to be defined, but definitely part of the Rangers going forward. As far as his replacement, that is ongoing and we are trying to figure that out. I know there are rumors about who is going to be there that you want to ask me but I can't answer that because we don't have the answer yet. Hopefully soon but not right now. As far as Jeff Beukeboom, he is part of the organization and we look forward to his new role."
Buek's role in the organization has yet to be determined. In terms of Arniel, given how well (poorly) the power play performed the last few years, most of us would be fine with him not coming back. Until official word is provided, as of now, Arniel is still on coach Alain Vigneault's coaching staff, but his role has yet to be determined. AV gets a kick in the rear a bit with Ruff in NY while that move came at the expense of Beukeboom and maybe not Arniel, though Arniel may have lots most favorite nation (coach) status. Style-wise, as Blue Seat blog reported, Ruff's Stars team, like the Rangers, was big on a 1-2-2 forecheck with a hybrid zone/man defensive zone coverage while his penalty killing style was also aggressive, like AV. Those two factors in addition to the mere fact of Ruff getting added to the Rangers staff has started some to figure he could be a replacement for AV. But that is speculation right now, especially since AV signed a contract extension, but if the team struggles, we all know they will be calling for the coach's head.
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