Gallant out as coach of Rangers after playoff exit

Gerard Gallant is out as coach of the New York Rangers, less than a week after a first-round elimination at the hands of the rival New Jersey Devils.

Gallant coached in New York for two seasons, and led the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals last year. But this season, after the trade acquisitions of two high-priced forwards and a 107-point regular season, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, the Rangers were at times lifeless in their seven-game elimination.

In four losses to New Jersey, New York scored just two goals, and after racing out to a 2-0 series lead, the Rangers lost four of five, including two games at home to a team that hadn’t made the postseason since 2018.

Gallant, 59, has also coached the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights, leading the latter to the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. He replaced David Quinn in New York, after the Rangers failed to make the postseason during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Quinn is now the coach of the San Jose Sharks.

Gallant has a regular-season record of 99-46-19 in his two seasons with the Rangers. He did not take part in postseason player interviews Wednesday — after the team’s elimination on Monday — although he said he also didn’t take part in them after last season, as well.

“Nobody from this organization told me anything,” Gallant said Wednesday. “I’m coming in here after what I think were two successful years. We had one bad week and that cost us. If I can’t stand by my record and what I’ve done — and not just my record here — I think there’s something wrong. I think it’s pretty good. But we’re in New York and people put stuff out there, and that’s fine.

“I can’t believe I have to answer some of these questions about me getting let go or getting fired, brought up by the media. Disappointing.”

Gallant’s contract was signed through 2025.

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