Rangers add Wolf Pack assistant Gord Murphy to replace Lindy Ruff

The Rangers have wished Lindy Ruff well in his future and have already made the move to replace him on the bench. Hartford Wolf Pack assistant coach, Gord Murphy will be joining David Quinn’s group for the playoffs.

Farewell Lindy Ruff, hello Gord Murphy

Murphy (r) has joined the Rangers (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

Gord Murphy was a rugged rearguard for 14 years in the NHL with teams like the Florida Panthers Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers during the 90’s. He played a total of 862 games and notched 323 points for his career. The man knows how to play defense and will help with the Rangers blue line when training camp begins next week.

Murphy, 52, joins the Rangers organization after spending parts of the last 16 seasons as an Assistant Coach in the NHL (2002-03 – 2018-19). Most recently, he served parts of five seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia Flyers (2014-15 – 2018-19), and he was on the same coaching staff as current Wolf Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch for parts of two seasons with the Flyers (2017-18 and 2018-19). Murphy has also served as an Assistant Coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2002-03 – 2009-10) and Florida Panthers (2010-11 – 2013-14) in his coaching career. In addition, he was a member of Canada’s coaching staff at the 2014 IIHF U18 World Championship, and he helped Canada earn a bronze medal in the tournament.

New York Rangers Press Release

Gord Murphy’s role on David Quinn’s staff

While many other reporters are saying he is taking Ruff’s position, Larry Brooks carefully worded his tweet. He used the phrase, “temporarily filing vacancy by Ruff’s departure.”

I spoke with a source familiar with the situation to get more clarity. At this time, it was not certain who would be on the bench with David Quinn and David Oliver, who coaches the forwards.

Earlier today I wrote that Greg Brown, who is already on the staff should be able to take Ruff’s spot on the bench and assume his role. Gord Murphy could help Quinn by assuming Brown’s responsibilities as the “eye in the sky” assistant.

We will learn more soon.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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