The Rangers hired former Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette

Laviolette, 58, has coached 21 years in the NHL, most recently with the rival Washington Capitals, the Rangers, last season. The Capitals did not renew Laviolette’s contract after he missed the playoffs.

The Rangers will be the fifth team coached by Laviolette in the D.C. Division. He also had stints with the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers.

With 752 career victories, Laviolette is the eighth winningest coach in NHL history and has the most wins of any American-born coach. He coached Carolina to the Stanley Cup in 2006 and led two other teams to the Finals: Philadelphia in 2010 and Nashville in 2017.

“Peter’s impressive resume, which includes winning the Stanley Cup and advancing to the Final with three different teams, has made him one of the most respected coaches in the league,” club owner James Dolan said in a statement. “As we move forward with our goal of consistently competing for the Stanley Cup, I am confident that Peter is the right coach to lead our team.”

The Rangers parted ways with Gerard Gallant after a first round loss to the New Jersey Devils in May. Gallant led the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022. Gallant was under contract through the 2024-25 season.

The Rangers have cast a wide net in their search but are bringing in a veteran coach because the organization believes it can win a championship as soon as next year, sources tell ESPN.

Among the rookie coaches the Rangers have spoken with are Spencer Carberry (who was hired by the Capitals) and Jay Leach, an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken.

Sources said the Rangers have left most of the assistant coaching staff — while keeping longtime goaltending coach Benoit Allaire — so Laviolette and GM Chris Drury will now fill those positions.