Welcome to your New York Rangers offseason grades! It ultimately did not end the way the organization wanted it to, but there was a lot of jog and excitement. It is summertime for the Rangers, but that does not mean we cannot reminisce on the season. Today we will look at Gerard Gallant’s offseason grade.
New York Rangers Offseason Grade
Report Card: Gerard Gallant
This New York Rangers Offseason grade focuses on the other man in charge. Chris Drury may orchestrate this team and put the pieces together. However, it is up to Gerard Gallant to go out there and lead this team and take them places. Last year was instant success with his first year behind the bench. New York went on to finish second in the Metropolitan Division and reach the Eastern Conference finals. Sure they came up short of the ultimate goal, but it was a successful season. But that was last year. The focus is on this season and what Gallant accomplished behind the bench.
The Season
It was another successful season for the New York Rangers. Gerard Gallant helped lead the Rangers to a second consecutive 100+ point season. However, this year they would finish third in the division and not second. New York went on to finish with three fewer points than last season but had a higher goal differential. There is a recipe that seems to follow Gallant-led teams. In the Rangers case that holds to be true. New York relies heavily on the goaltending of Igor Shesterkin and a scorching hot power play. However, the level of play at 5v5 is average at best or middle of the pack. Here is a dive into Gallant-led teams two years into his tenure:
Teams at 5v5
Florida
- Corsi For: 16th (51.24), 20th (48.68)
- XGoals: 13th (51.6), 19th (49.2)
Vegas
- Corsi For: 13th (50.84), 3rd (54.38)
- XGoals: 18th (50.29), 2nd (55.02)
Rangers
- Corsi For: 25th (47%), 17th (49.8)
- XGoals: 23rd (47.12), 22nd (48.4)
Power play Rankings
- Florida: 24th (16.3%), 23rd (16.9%)
- Vegas: 12th (21.3%), seventh worst (16.8%)
- Rangers: 4th (25.2%), 7th (24.1%)
As you can see, Gallant-led teams are middle of the pack at 5v5. The ability to generate a ton of offence is not the easiest as well as the shot attempts. There was one elite season in Vegas that stood out the most, but it is middle of the pack. As for New York, it’s been near the bottom. However, the teams in New York have had red-hot power play units compared to his previous team.
The biggest criticism he faced was after the trade deadline. After the multiple splashes Drury did make, it was impossible for anyone to develop chemistry. The constant changing of the lines proved to be a downfall as nobody could build upon anything together.
All Stats Come From Money Puck
The Playoffs
This segway of the New York Rangers offseason grade is what would be the undoing of Gerard Gallant. In their series against the New Jersey Devils, New York lit fireworks in Newark. The power play was red hot and the team outscored New Jersey 10-2. Not so fast. New Jersey went on to claw their way back into the series. Ultimately Lindy Ruff went on to make changes and adjustments, whereas Gallant did not. This did not go over well with Chris Drury as the two got into a heated exchange after Game Four. In the end, New Jersey went on to win the series in Game Seven and sent the Rangers home in disappointment.
At 5v5, the Rangers were the worst team at Corsi For (45.84%) and we’re out attempted 345-292. In addition, New Jersey controlled the xGoals share 17.43-12.63. Even worse, scoring chances were 185-136. If the Devils were not in the penalty box, they controlled the game. Thankfully Igor Shesterkin was in the net or this series could’ve ended sooner.
The Verdict
"I can't believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting fired, brought up by the media. Disappointing."
– Gerard Gallant pic.twitter.com/MLNMqgTAqz
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023
This New York Rangers offseason grade ends badly. After taking questions in his press conference regarding his future, he went on to suffer his fate. After two years behind the bench, Gerard Gallant has been dismissed from his job. Two playoff berths short of the ultimate goal, with one being a disappointing exit. Gallant is a good coach overall and has had a short leash his entire career. He can find work soon, but the season did not end the way anyone would have liked.
Verdict: C
Main Photo: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
