It wasn't like we saw this coming. But this more of a case that you can't fire the players and the GM won't fire himself. So they went after the coach. Not that it wasn't actionable after the Rangers took TWO "Too Many Men On the Ice" penalties last night and lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday on Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate Night at Madison Square Garden. That penalty (a theme all season) is a bench minor and really summed up Renney's faults: can't get the troops to work together this year.
In some ways, Renney was hurt by his own success. He wasn't the first choice for this job, but when he took over following the NHL lockout, he helped to guide the Rangers back to the playoffs, despite an underwhelming lineup. This year, they team got off to a blazing hot start but have faded completely with 10 losses in 12 games. Despite the fact the Rangers gained a point by virtue of that game being lost in overtime, they need two because they're treading water at this point. One of the problems with the Rangers season has been a God-awful power play unit and the architect for that, Perry Pearn, also went with Renney today.
Jim Schoenfeld and John Tortorella are two candidates being mentioned to replace Renney. It looks like Tortorella, who I like much better, will take over. And here's why: even on his way out, Tortorella's own GM, Jay Feaster, described him in a light that should make Ranger fans excited for the fire he may light under some asses: "This was a country club, a retirement home. It was a place players came to retire, they just forgot to tell us they were doing it," Feaster added. "John came in and changed the culture, changed the way we do business, and the attitude. And in so doing, he raised expectations."
Whoever takes over will have to deal with is a salary cap mess left by their GM, Glen Sather, and a group of underachievers who look lifeless at times. They stupidly signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to large, long-term deals despite the fact neither one is a #1 and/or scoring center. They stupidly gave big money in the off-season to Wade Redden and Rozsival despite the fact both looked finished at the end of last year. And they stupidly decided to not sign any scorer and hope they could get by with what they had in house. Now they're going to stupidly hope that whoever comes in as a new coach can deal with Sean Avery's antics the way that Tom Renney could. Stupidity all around and for what Renney brought back to this organization--playoffs, respectability, leadership, fan base post-lockout--he shouldn't have been so callously let go despite their recent troubles.
The sad thing about this whole process is that Cablevision, which owns the Rangers and Knicks, couldn't bring themselves to fire Isaiah Thomas after he Madoffed them (yes, I said it), but Renney gets shown the door despite leading this team to four playoffs in four seasons and being in position for another spot this year. Now THAT is rough.
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