Dan Girardi may be rejoining New York Rangers as an assistant coach

The New York Rangers have agreed in principle to a four-year deal with Gerard Gallant as their next head coach. According to The Athletic’s Rick Carpiniello, the Rangers may bring back Dan Girardi as an assistant coach.

We’ve also heard from sources that Buffalo assistant Dan Girardi, a former Rangers teammate of Drury, could be added as an assistant.

Rick Carpiniello

Dan Girardi a potential Rangers assistant coach

The possibility of bringing back one of the Rangers best defensemen as an assistant coach is a brilliant idea. One of the toughest defenders in the NHL with a keen ability to block shots, he would be a great addition to the group.

This past season, the 37 year-old joined the Sabres as an assistant and helped interim head coach Don Granato turn things around. “I’ve kind of been through everything,” Girardi said on WGR550. “The way I played, how I carried myself in the [locker] room, a teammate first, didn’t worry about all my individual stuff, really thought about the team game; all those things, when you’re a good teammate, word gets around and you’re able to talk to guys.”

“Obviously I’m the assistant coach now, an interim assistant coach, but I’m talking to guys now like I’m just out there with them at practice and talking about random things, chirp here and there,” Girardi continued. “But just get a good feeling between all of us and get a better feeling back in the building and in the room, a positive atmosphere. We’re going to have to put the work boots on to get out of this thing with everyone.”

Dan Girardi
Dan Girardi (Getty Images)

Rangers hire Gallant

Gallant, 57, reportedly interviewed with the Rangers last month before heading to Latvia to coach Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship. He led Canada to its 21st title, beating Finland 3-2 in the June 6 final.

Gallant owns a career record of 270-216-4-51 in 541 games as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2003-07), Florida Panthers (2014-17) and Vegas Golden Knights (2017-20).

He was fired 49 games into his third season when Vegas was 24-19-6, and he had an overall record of 118-75-20 with the Golden Knights.

Last month, the Rangers fired head coach David Quinn and three assistant coaches as well as team president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton after missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Chris Drury was promoted to president and GM.

New York finished in fifth place in the East Division with a 27-23-6 record in 2020-21.

Quinn, 54, compiled a 96-87-25 record during his three seasons as coach of the Rangers.

–Field Level Media contributed to this article

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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