The Rangers will officially introduce new head coach Gerard Gallant Tuesday at 10 a.m., and general manager Chris Drury will address the media for the first time since fired former bench boss David Quinn.
The press conference will not be available to stream, but highlights will be broadcasted on MSG afterward.
It’s been over a month since Drury dismissed Quinn after the first-time NHL head coach missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. But after former president John Davidson and former general manager Jeff Gorton were let go by CEO Jim Dolan just before the conclusion of the regular season, it wasn’t a surprise Drury opted to fully clean house. Dolan made it clear he wanted a culture change within the organization, and that’s what Drury and now Gallant have been tasked with.
Here are some questions for Drury and Gallant heading into the introductory press conference:
For Drury:
Why was David Quinn not the right coach moving forward?
Quinn was brought in to oversee the development of a young Rangers squad. The former Boston University coach was rather successful in doing that, helping players like Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Fox blossom into top competitors. Why was Quinn not allowed to continue his work?
What made Gallant the best fit for the job?
The Rangers will be the fourth NHL team Gallant takes over, after the 57-year-old had stints with the Blue Jackets, Panthers and Golden Knights. Why was it important to get a coach with NHL coaching experience?
How has filling other positions within the organization been going?
Drury has made changes in several different departments within the Blueshirts organization, including public relations and advisory roles. What sort of qualities was Drury looking for when filling each role?
What is the next step for the organization? How does Drury plan to wrap up the rebuild?
There was seemingly a disconnect between Dolan and the former managerial tandem on what was best for the team going forward, which resulted in the Davidson-Gorton dismissals. Does the team expect to be a playoff contender next season?
For Gallant:
Why the Rangers?
As an NHL coach, Gallant has made it to the Stanley Cup Final once, with Vegas during its inaugural season in 2017-18. Does Gallant believe the Rangers are ready to be Cup contenders?
What is his approach to leading such a young team?
Quinn had the development touch and understanding of how to communicate with young talent after doing so for years at the collegiate level. How does Gallant plan to connect with the team’s youth, as well as the handful of veterans on the roster?
What are the Rangers missing in their game?
Much has been made of the Blueshirts lacking in leadership, physicality and grit, while having an abundance of upper-echelon talent. Does Gallant think additions need to be made in order to balance the lineup?
How does Gallant plan to change the culture?
The Rangers haven’t had a captain since Ryan McDonagh in 2018 and have few veterans in the lineup. Since a change in culture is what the front office is striving for, what can Gallant do to change it?
