Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier reportedly in race for New York Rangers coaching position – NHL Update
The New York Rangers’ decision on removing long time coach, John Tortorella was both shocking and expected by many circles within the National Hockey League (NHL), which now has names such as legendary players Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
While the news has not been confirmed by either of the two former players or the New York Rangers, multiple media outlets have reported the news and termed it to be brought out in the open within a couple of days.
For now, there is no telling who is in the run for becoming New York’s next head coach, especially since they are looking for a replacement who can get the team back on track. Boston Bruins embarrassed one of the most seasoned franchises in the league by
eliminating them from the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals in just five games. New York managed to win just one but was thrashed in all others.
After learning of the news, experts are terming this to be a welcoming step especially since New York Rangers’ general manager Glen Slather is quickly looking to fill in the void, but also cautioned to the fact that being successful on the ice always does
not mean success behind the bench.
Gretzky is one of those players who won the Stanley Cup four times just with the Edmonton Oilers, but did not have much of a successful run when he coached the Phoenix Coyotes from 2005-2009, where he had a 143-161-24 record and failed to make the postseason.
Throughout his career, Wayne Gretzky played in 1,487 games, potted 894 goals, 1,963 assists for a total of 2,857 points. He also had 16 appearances in the playoffs during his career with Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and ended it with
the New York Rangers.
Mark Messier is also one of the well-known legends from New York Rangers and has 1,756 games played career with 1,887 points (694 goals, 1,193 assists).
According to TSN, it is learned that Rangers are also looking to talk to Toronto Marlies coach, Dallas Eakins and former Vancouver Canucks coach, Alain Vigneault, who was recently fired.
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