Per Team Release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has named Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly, and Jim Midgley Assistant Coaches with the Rangers, and that Steve Smith has been named an Assistant Coach with the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

New York Rangers coaching staff

Gerard Gallant, Head Coach: He was a star player in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings prior to becoming a head coach. He scored 480 points in 615 games before a bad back forced him to retire. As a bench boss, he’s been successful in all three NHL stops which includes the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. The 57 year-old has a record of 270-216-4-51 which is good for a .550 points percentage. Gallant’s biggest strength is his in-game management. He has a feel for the ebbs and flows, and understands how to get the most out of his matchups.

Mike Kelly, Assistant: Mike was Gerard’s assistant in Florida and Vegas in the NHL. However, the two also worked in QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Kelly was an assistant to Gallant from 2010 to 2012 while there. Kelly has also worked as GM and head coach in various other stops, including winning Gold with Team Canada in 2003 at IIHF World U18. He’s really a great choice, and the history of success for the two working together is undeniable.

Gord Murphy, Assistant: He who was hired by Chris Drury to help Kris Knoblauch in Hartford now joins the big club. He and Gallant are no strangers as they worked together with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Murphy will act as a bridge between the previous coaching staff under Quinn and now Gallant’s. He was on the bench during the Rangers hot stretch when the prior staff was out on COVID protocol. Both Murphy and Drury got an up close view of what was and wasn’t working with the Rangers.

Jim Midgley, Assistant: He has been a coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for nine seasons, including one season as the Head Coach of the Halifax Mooseheads (2017-18). Midgley’s record as a Head Coach, is 43-18-6-1, helping his team advance to the second round of the QMJHL Playoffs. This past season, he served as an Amateur Scout with the Philadelphia Flyers, and he currently an Assistant Coach with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Rangers add Steve Smith to Wolf Pack staff

Per the team’s press release:

Smith, who is a native of Glasgow, Scotland and grew up in Cobourg, Ontario, played parts of 16 seasons in the NHL (1984-85 – 1996-97; 1998-99 – 2000-01). A defenseman, Smith skated in 804 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Calgary Flames, registering 72 goals and 303 assists for 375 points, along with a plus-139 rating and 2,139 penalty minutes. He is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, as he helped the Oilers win the Stanley Cup in 1986-87, 1987-88, and 1989-90. Smith played in the 1991 NHL All-Star Game and helped Canada win the 1991 Canada Cup. He was inducted into the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

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“I would like to welcome Gerard to the New York Rangers,” owner James Dolan said in the team’s press release. “Gerard’s proven track record has made him one of the league’s most sought-after coaches, and we are fortunate to have him as part of the team. I have no doubt that he will play a critical role in helping us take the next steps to building a championship-caliber team.”

Get to know Gerard Gallant

Gerard Gallant was a star player in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings prior to becoming a head coach. He scored 480 points in 615 games before a bad back forced him to retire.

As a bench boss, he’s been successful in all three NHL stops which includes the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights. The 57 year-old has a record of 270-216-4-51 which is good for a .550 points percentage.

“We are excited to announce that Gerard will be the next Head Coach of the New York Rangers,” President and General Manager Chris Drury said. “His vast experience and success behind the bench at several levels make him the ideal choice to lead our team on the ice.”

NYR Press Release

His most recent success came with Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World Championships capturing Gold. Gallant took a young squad to international triumph despite starting the tournament 0-3.

The scouting report from around the NHL is he’s the type of coach that gets the most out of his players. Roberto Luongo who was Team Canada’s GM noted that Gallant has the ability to get guys to run through walls for him.

His philosophy on coaching young players is to give them a chance, but to also play them where they belong. In other words, a skilled forward like Vitali Kravtsov wouldn’t see the 4th line as he did under David Quinn.

Gallant’s biggest strength is his in-game management. He has a feel for the ebbs and flows, and understands how to get the most out of his matchups.

Another one of Gallant’s strengths is to leave all the X’s and O’s to his assistants. He believes in empowering his coaches, but made it clear that he will always make the final decision.

An example of that came in a recent interview on The Power Play with Steve Kouleas and Marty Biron. “To be honest with you, I like when my goaltending coach takes me aside and says ‘here’s our schedule and we’ll go day by day, I’ll let you know if one guy looks tired or needs time off’,” Gallant responded to a question on goaltending splits. “That’s how I like to do things. Benoit Allaire has been there a long time, he knows the goalies better than I do, so I’ll lean on him for that.”

So who is on the bench with Gallant in New York?

Gerard Gallant gets his man, Mike Kelly

It should come as no surprise that Mike Kelly is one of the assistant coaches. Matter of fact, it was likely all but agreed to when Gallant was hired. The two have worked closely together in all three NHL cities that Gallant has coached and most recently won Gold in Latvia at the World Championships. You could easily call Kelly his wingman.

Mike was Gerard’s assistant in Florida and Vegas in the NHL. However, the two also worked in QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs. Kelly was an assistant to Gallant from 2010 to 2012 while there. Kelly has also worked as GM and head coach in various other stops, including winning Gold with Team Canada in 2003 at IIHF World U18. He’s really a great candidate, and the history of success for the two working together is undeniable.

Kelly is expected to handle the forwards and power play for the Rangers next season.

Gord Murphy a bridge between coaching staffs

Gord Murphy who was hired by Chris Drury to help Kris Knoblauch in Hartford now joins the big club. He and Gallant are no strangers as they worked together with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It is expected that Murphy will handle the Rangers defense and penalty kill for the upcoming season. However, he has a much more important role coming in.

Murphy will act as a bridge between the previous coaching staff under Quinn and now Gallant’s. He was on the bench during the Rangers hot stretch when the prior staff was out on COVID protocol. Both Murphy and Drury got an up close view of what was and wasn’t working with the Rangers.

He will provide intimate details on players and strategies as they transition from Quinn’s style of play to Gallant’s.

Murphy also had a distinguished NHL career as a defenseman for 14 seasons. He played in 862 regular-season games and recorded 323 points with 668 penalty minutes.

One final note; the Rangers are still looking to add another assistant to the staff. An eye in the sky coach who is monitoring the game from above and getting a different perspective. It was believed at one point Dan Girardi would take that job but he has opted not to coach anywhere this season. So the search continues.

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Rangers have hired Gord Murphy, Mike Kelly as assistants to join Gallant's staff, Post has learned. Both have prior experience with Gallant. Blueshirts still seeking third assistant.

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) July 12, 2021

Gerard Gallant gets his man, Mike Kelly

We noted yesterday that Gerard Gallant in a recent interview on The Power Play with Steve Kouleas and Marty Biron, was looking to get his assistants in place this week. “I will get my coaching staff in place in the next week or so,” Gallant revealed on Friday. “[We] want to get down to work, and get ready for the season.”

It should come as no surprise that Mike Kelly is one of the assistant coaches. Matter of fact, it was likely all but agreed to when Gallant was hired. The two have worked closely together in all three NHL cities that Gallant has coached and most recently won Gold in Latvia at the World Championships.

Gord Murphy who was hired by Chris Drury to help Kris Knoblauch in Hartford gets promoted. He also has experience with Gallant in Columbus. However, and most importantly, he was on the bench during the Rangers hot stretch when David Quinn and the staff were out on COVID protocol.

Murphy will provide intimate details as to what went right or wrong last year.

Dan Girardi unlikely to be the third assistant

While it is still possible that Girardi could join the staff, I wouldn’t bet on it. Don Granato made it crystal clear he wants Girardi right back at his side in Buffalo. The third assistant is usually parked in the press box and not on the ice, so that would be a demotion for Girardi.

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Farewell Lindy Ruff, hello Gord Murphy

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.

Another piece of the puzzle was added for the upcoming season in Hartford. The Rangers announced the hiring of Gord Murphy as associate head coach for the Wolf Pack.

More on Murphy

Gord Murphy, a 52 year old assistant coach joins the organization following the hiring of head coach Kris Knoblauch. Ironically, both coaches were with the Philadelphia Flyers. The duo worked together in the past and will provide new life for the Hartford prospects.

John Davidson and Chris Drury continue their solid reboot effort for the AHL club. The Wolf Pack now have a truly optimistic outlook for the upcoming season. The real test is when the season begins on how the group fairs when competing against other AHL teams.

Murphy played over 800 NHL games on defense mostly for the Flyers and Panthers. A big rugged and physical defenseman was also able to chip in the occasional offense. He certainly should play a major role in developing the Rangers prospects on defense.

Here’s a few quick thoughts regarding the hiring of the assistant coach for Hartford:

•Impressive to get an NHL level assistant to join the organization for the #AHL aspect. He checks off the experience that JD, Drury want.

•Adds another perspective for the prospects.

•AHL teams have a range of 2-4 assistant coaches. I would like to see just one more, because why not. More eyes, more focus on development & winning.

Ricky Milliner

Currently the Wolf Pack have one head, and one assistant. Ideally, I would like to see one to two more assistant coaches added to the bench. The league benches varies around the league, from just two coaches up to five. Having an additional set of eyes would benefit the group as a whole. Having specialized coaches for the power play, and/or the penalty kill are a great asset.

Will the Rangers add another guy? Is the coaching roster set for Hartford? We will find out before September.

As we approach the new season, Hartford appears to be in a solid spot thanks to the swiftness of John Davidson. The questions remains is whether the organization is done or not regarding additional forces for Hartford.