There is no doubt that Peter Laviolette will be a hands-on head coach. That has been one of Laviolette’s hallmarks throughout his 22 years behind an NHL bench. That is one of the qualities that differentiates him from Gerard Gallant, his immediate predecessor as Rangers head coach, who took more of a laissez-faire approach to the job.
The Rangers will notice that from the jump when main training camp opens on Sept. 21. Or maybe individual players already have detected that, if they’ve crossed paths with Laviolette in the corridors of the practice rink during the last week or so while getting onto the ice for informal prep sessions.
Laviolette brings a distinct style to the mix. Incoming assistant coaches Phil Housley, Michael Peca and Dan Muse bring fresh eyes to the equation. Entrenched norms — some of which had their origins under Gallant’s immediate predecessor, David Quinn — may be challenged, if not upended even after this two-year stretch in which the Blueshirts compiled the fifth-best record in the league with 110-point and 107-point seasons, respectively.
Maybe Chris Kreider won’t play with Mika Zibanejad. Perhaps Artemi Panarin will not be paired with a center who wears No. 16. Maybe (gasp!) the Adam Fox-Ryan Lindgren partnership that goes back almost to grade school will not be inviolate. Perchance the K’Andre Miller-Jacob Trouba pair will get a makeover. The power play (double gasp!!) may have a new look.
“I encourage [the coaching staff] to have a fresh look and come with a new perspective that any new coach would bring,” general manager Chris Drury said Thursday at a pre-camp briefing on Day 2 of rookie camp. “Not only him, but bringing Phil and Michael and Dan and others in to look at different things, look at different ideas and potentially try different things in training camp.
“You all know [Laviolette]. He’s been around a long time. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of coach who’s just going to stay with something because that’s what it was, or it was used last year or the year before. It’s a new, fresh perspective for sure.”
To that end, Drury allowed that both Alexis Lafreniere and Brennan Othmann will get reps at right wing during camp.
“Obviously the lineup card is Lavy’s, but I know that Laff and Othmann have publicly said that they are comfortable on the right,” the GM said. “So I’m anticipating that they’ll get every chance to play on the right and show what they can do.
“That certainly makes for some exciting games and practices to watch in camp.”
Drury and Laviolette have assembled an eclectic group of assistants. All have prior experience working with the head coach, Housley and Muse in Nashville and Peca (after playing as Laviolette’s captain for two years on the Island two decades ago) in Washington.
I wonder what Housley, a somewhat undersized offense-minded defenseman who is in the Hockey Hall of Fame, can add to Fox’s game. I’m intrigued by how much Housley — the one-time No. 6 who was fourth in NHL history for career points by a defenseman trailing only Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey and Al MacInnis — will be able to impact Zac Jones’ game.
I am curious how Peca’s renowned tenacity on the ice will translate to a group of players whose own emotional commitment at times has come and gone.
And I am eager to see how Muse’s recent three-year stint as head coach with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program will translate while he works with the club’s younger guys.
Interesting, too, is the cross-generational aspect of the staff. Laviolette and Housley were born in 1964. Peca in 1974. Muse in 1982.
Know this, though: While Peca will have primary responsibility for the power play (with Housley’s aid), Muse will have primary responsibility for the penalty kill and Housley will take charge of the defense and overall team defense, Laviolette will oversee all aspects of the game. The Rangers are going to become a detail-oriented team.
“Just some different and unique perspectives,” Drury said. “Some different ideas and thoughts. We’re fortunate to have the ability to expand the staff in some areas, fortunate to get the people on board we were able to get.”
The hard cap acts as a restraint in assembling rosters. But the cap does not apply to off-ice personnel. Under Drury, and with chairman Jim Dolan’s encouragement, the Blueshirts are finally flexing their financial might by beefing up the back of the house.
The scouting staff and player personnel department has been bolstered. The analytical arm of the organization has been strengthened. There is a new skills coach. Prospect-development personnel has been enhanced.
Fresh eyes, full hearts.
Can’t lose.