Rangers hire Mike Grier to replace Brian Leetch, interview Gerard Gallant

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mike grier
Nov 9, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils assistant coaches Rick Kowalsky and Mike Grier look on from behind the bench as left wing Taylor Hall (9) and left wing Marcus Johansson (90) watch the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Drury is working feverishly to fill management positions. Today he hired Mike Grier in an advisory role, replacing Brian Leetch who resigned in the wake of David Quinn’s firing.

Rangers hire Mike Grier

The 46 year-old Mike Grier played 1060 games in the NHL for the Oilers, Sharks, Sabres, and Capitals. He scored 383 hard-working points in his role as a power winger. Grier spent some time behind the Devils bench as an assistant coach in 2018 for two seasons. He and Drury have a relationship dating back to their BU days.

The Post has learned that Drury has hired Mike Grier as hockey operations adviser to fill the vacancy created on Thursday by Brian Leetch’s departure from the organization. Drury, who is moving quickly in reaching out to candidates to fill open slots within the front office, was a teammate of Grier for two seasons at Boston University in 1994-95 and 1995-96, and were together for two seasons with the Sabres in 2003-04 and 2005-06.

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Rangers interview Gerard Gallant

Rangers interview gerard gallant
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

According to Larry Brooks, Drury and Gerard Gallant have spoken as the coach will head out to coach Team Canada in Lativa at the World Championship. Yesterday we wrote that an interview was coming quickly based off reports from Darren Dreger.

“The New York Rangers have been granted permission by the Vegas Golden Knights to interview Gerard Gallant,” Dreger said. “So clearly he is one of the top candidates in the process that has been started by Chris Drury.”

“The timing has more to do with the travel plans for Gallant,” Dreger explained. “He is on his way to Latvia this weekend. So the New York Rangers would at least want to spend some time, and have at least one conversation with Gerard Gallant before he begins taking on the responsibility of running Canada at the World Men’s Hockey Championship.”

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By Anthony Scultore

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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