It has not even been a full week since the New York Rangers were eliminated in five games by the Boston Bruins in the second round of NHL Playoffs. A year after being the league's top seed and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers are disappointed and ready for change. The first order of business is the firing of head coach John Tortorella. The team announced the decision Wednesday afternoon.
Tortorella had been with the Rangers for four and half seasons. The news of his release is certainly not a shock. A year after coming within a few games of the Stanley Cup finals, the Rangers had high expectations that the team ultimately failed to live up to. They struggled throughout most of the regular season, squeaking into the playoffs after a strong finish. They entered the postseason as the sixth seed. New York pulled out a come-from-behind playoff series win against the Washington Capitals, but then lost in five short games to the Bruins.
The Rangers certainly have a roster built for success. With additions like Henrik Lundqvist, Rick Nash and Brad Richards, there was no excuse for failure. The lack of offense was the key factor in the release of Tortorella. The team went flat during the postseason when it came to scoring and the offense has lacked overall consistency through the last few years.
New York reached the playoffs four times in five years under Tortorella and as he departs, so might other key players for the Rangers. The first to possibly be on his way out is goalie Lundqvist. The former Vezina Trophy winner was non-committal when asked if he was going to sign a long-term contract extension with the team. Lundqvist felt the struggling season was a step in the wrong direction for the Rangers and he is looking to win a championship sooner rather than later. The release of Tortorella might be the last straw.
Richards is also at risk of leaving New York. Currently signed to a nine-year, $60 million deal, he could possibly see his contract bought out in the offseason. He had a long-standing relationship with Tortorella and now that is gone. Richards have a rough postseason. He was pulled early in Game 3 against Boston and did not see any action in Game 4 or 5. Richards has vowed to make changes in the offseason, but he might not get that chance with New York.
The Rangers could enter the 2013 season in somewhat of a rebuilding phase. They had built the roster to win a championship and with the coach and several marquee players at risk of leaving, the Stanley Cup might be out of reach for the time being.