Jan Levine: Rangers receive permission to interview Gallant, Leetch leaves organization Another quiet day in Rangersland, sarcasm dripping

Drury asked Leetch to stay but he declined. Leetch and Quinn are very good friends and have known each other since they were in high school, so his firing most certainly had an impact on Leetch's decision. In addition, as Adam Rotter noted Leetch is also close with JD as Davidson was a Rangers broadcaster for Leetch’s entire career with the Rangers. To add to that mix, Gorton was the GM in Boston when Leetch was there for 2005-06.

Wow, that's really interesting!
Leetch has always been a class act and probably my favorite Rangers player. This seems like a FU to Donal, not a slight to Drury.
Is Graves still with the organization?

Drury asked Leetch to stay but he declined. Leetch and Quinn are very good friends and have known each other since they were in high school, so his firing most certainly had an impact on Leetch's decision. In addition, as Adam Rotter noted Leetch is also close with JD as Davidson was a Rangers broadcaster for Leetch’s entire career with the Rangers. To add to that mix, Gorton was the GM in Boston when Leetch was there for 2005-06.

Wow, that's really interesting!
Leetch has always been a class act and probably my favorite Rangers player. This seems like a FU to Donal, not a slight to Drury.
Is Graves still with the organization?
- Fenrir

Graves is still there.

Most here didn't even remember that Leetch was still employed by the organization. Do you REALLY think he is going to be missed?
I just don't see this as a big deal...

Particularly with the pandemic and all the craziness of the past year, it didn't seem like Leetch was doing too much for the organization. Couple that with the firings and this is a big nothing burger. As normal operations return these next couple of years, I would bet there would be a connection again.

Most here didn't even remember that Leetch was still employed by the organization. Do you REALLY think he is going to be missed?
I just don't see this as a big deal...
- TommyGTrain

I had no idea Leetch was part of organization, but ultimately, all sentimentality is gone around here, and that may not be worst thing

I do feel like the Rangers are an extremely hot gig right now

the amount of young talent here, Panarin, the fact that money will not be an issue with the new coach, his assistants, I do feel like we can have anyone we want right now

though it may be wise to strike quickly before some teams get ousted from playoffs and think about coaching changes themselves

Well we all thought the off-season would be active.
Now things are just down right crazy.

In regards to a Leetch type of position, he was in development and behind the scenes. Which means we have zero idea how important he was or how much he actually did. So he still could be missed.
But the Rangers do need a cohesive coaching and development team for these young players. I think this next set of coaches are very important for the future success of the Rangers. Let's hope Drury has his eyes open.

I had no idea Leetch was part of organization, but ultimately, all sentimentality is gone around here, and that may not be worst thing

I do feel like the Rangers are an extremely hot gig right now

the amount of young talent here, Panarin, the fact that money will not be an issue with the new coach, his assistants, I do feel like we can have anyone we want right now

though it may be wise to strike quickly before some teams get ousted from playoffs and think about coaching changes themselves
- jimbro83

I'm with you, distance ourselves from the 94 team except for reunions. We need to focus on building the next champion, that will have its own chapter in team lore.

The Canadian division is so bad, if Toronto underwhelms again, you could see a coaching change there. The way Edmonton operates, who knows what they would do if they'd lose in the first round. A bunch of teams could decide to change, so yeah let's get whoever quickly.

I'm with you, distance ourselves from the 94 team except for reunions. We need to focus on building the next champion, that will have its own chapter in team lore.

The Canadian division is so bad, if Toronto underwhelms again, you could see a coaching change there. The way Edmonton operates, who knows what they would do if they'd lose in the first round. A bunch of teams could decide to change, so yeah let's get whoever quickly.
- 2sticks1puck

RNH is a UFA......SHould NYR kick the tires? He doesn't exactly scream toughness.

Hopefully, NYR is signing/trading for guys coming from playoff/cup winning teams.

Need a culture of winning to be cultivated

RNH is a UFA......SHould NYR kick the tires? He doesn't exactly scream toughness.

Hopefully, NYR is signing/trading for guys coming from playoff/cup winning teams.

Need a culture of winning to be cultivated
- rrentz

they should definitely kick the tires if he makes it to free agency

I just believe he's one of those UFA's who is waiting to sign his new contract until afer expansion draft so they don't have to protect

I believe Ovechkin, Landeskog and RNH are all like that

RNH is a UFA......SHould NYR kick the tires? He doesn't exactly scream toughness.

Hopefully, NYR is signing/trading for guys coming from playoff/cup winning teams.

Need a culture of winning to be cultivated
- rrentz

I have a good feeling about Drury getting players that have that "winning" mentality. Having a GM that has 'been there, done that' on the ice helps. And it seems like he has a good sense of the business too.
I believe once the coaching team is set up, we may see some moves.

they should definitely kick the tires if he makes it to free agency

I just believe he's one of those UFA's who is waiting to sign his new contract until afer expansion draft so they don't have to protect

I believe Ovechkin, Landeskog and RNH are all like that
- jimbro83

Slim and I have been on the RNH bandwagon for two years, you know I want us to kick the tires.

I just don't see how Edmonton can really resign him when they have McD and Drasatil. That would be three expensive centers locked up. At least with us if we kept Strome, he's only signed for one year and we then let him walk.

Tankathon has Matt Coronato going 15th

should they take him at the draft or wait until he says he only wants to play for Rangers and trade two second round picks for him down the line

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

Slim and I have been on the RNH bandwagon for two years, you know I want us to kick the tires.

I just don't see how Edmonton can really resign him when they have McD and Drasatil. That would be three expensive centers locked up. At least with us if we kept Strome, he's only signed for one year and we then let him walk.
- 2sticks1puck

The Rangers will be in the same situation, Zibby will command at least 8-9 mil per. Panarin, Zib, Truba. Same situation.

Had your workmates/combo. friends - (one of which who includes your own boss who hired you) - had all been fired from the firm you were all employed, you would also be very upset, & likely searching for a new job if still in need of earning income.
Leetch, despite whether having a need or no need to earn further income, was very upset over the past two weeks of firings around him, but none more upset than for Jeff Gorton being axed for reasons Jan mentioned.

However, this wasn't a matter of needing a 1994 NYR Cup Champion to aid players to our next Cup win. Initially, Gorton as Bruins GM brought Leetch to Boston prior to the end of his playing career. Then in 2017 as Rangers GM, he hired Leetch again, along with another former Ranger who was not part of that 1994 Cup winner in Brad Richards, to both work in developmental roles of their prospects. In addition, Leetch was an advisor to Gorton on the NHL Entry Draft & other hockey operation matters.

As per the Rangers granted permission by the Vegas Knights to talk to Gerard Gallant on possibly becoming their next head coach, Darren Dreger stated that the rush was necessary because Gallant was expected to leave this weekend for Latvia in preparation to coach Team Canada at the World Championships beginning one week from today on May 21st. Despite also being Team USA's GM for that event, Chris Drury will not be traveling to Latvia.

Had your workmates/combo. friends - (one of which who includes your own boss who hired you) - had all been fired from the firm you were all employed, you would also be very upset, & likely searching for a new job if still in need of earning income.
Leetch, despite whether having a need or no need to earn further income, was very upset over the past two weeks of firings around him, but none more upset than for Jeff Gorton being axed for reasons Jan mentioned.

However, this wasn't a matter of needing a 1994 NYR Cup Champion to aid players to our next Cup win. Initially, Gorton as Bruins GM brought Leetch to Boston prior to the end of his playing career. Then in 2017 as Rangers GM, he hired Leetch again, along with another former Ranger who was not part of that 1994 Cup winner in Brad Richards, to both work in developmental roles of their prospects. In addition, Leetch was an advisor to Gorton on the NHL Entry Draft & other hockey operation matters.

As per the Rangers granted permission by the Vegas Knights to talk to Gerard Gallant on possibly becoming their next head coach, Darren Dreger stated that the rush was necessary because Gallant was expected to leave this weekend for Latvia in preparation to coach Team Canada at the World Championships beginning one week from today on May 21st. Despite also being Team USA's GM for that event, Chris Drury will not be traveling to Latvia.
- RangerSaver

I for one am soooo glad Richards has been working w/ NYR centers on faceoffs. He is doing a bang up job

The Rangers will be in the same situation, Zibby will command at least 8-9 mil per. Panarin, Zib, Truba. Same situation.
- Brukie

That's actually why I have said we need to go for it now. In 2-3 years our cap situation might dictate that we aren't nearly as deep anymore.

I'm with you, distance ourselves from the 94 team except for reunions. We need to focus on building the next champion, that will have its own chapter in team lore.

The Canadian division is so bad, if Toronto underwhelms again, you could see a coaching change there. The way Edmonton operates, who knows what they would do if they'd lose in the first round. A bunch of teams could decide to change, so yeah let's get whoever quickly.
- 2sticks1puck

the Canadian division is so bad? based on what?

Why does anyone need to ask for permission to speak with Gallant? He was fired.

Why does anyone need to ask for permission to speak with Gallant? He was fired.
- JRR1285

He has very protective parents

The way those contracts work is, if a coach is fired with term left on his contract the team has to keep paying him until it expires. He isnt really fired, more relieved of duties. If we hire him, his Vegas contract terminates, and they can stop paying him. Unless he was making more in Vegas, then they only pay the difference

So yeah, we will be paying Quinn for 2 more years

Why does anyone need to ask for permission to speak with Gallant? He was fired.
- JRR1285

Still being paid by team that fired him

That's actually why I have said we need to go for it now. In 2-3 years our cap situation might dictate that we aren't nearly as deep anymore.
- 2sticks1puck

Go for it? The Rangers arent playoff contenders yet let alone true Cup contenders and you want to sign a player who will definitively impact our future Cap?

The way those contracts work is, if a coach is fired with term left on his contract the team has to keep paying him until it expires. He isnt really fired, more relieved of duties. If we hire him, his Vegas contract terminates, and they can stop paying him. Unless he was making more in Vegas, then they only pay the difference
- ELew11

I figured it was something like that. Kind of dumb though.

the Canadian division is so bad? based on what?
- Ross77

Well for starters, only two of the teams in your division would have even made the playoffs in ours. Somehow the Jets lost what seems like 20 games in a row, still comfortably made it in.