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New York Rangers fire coach Ron Low
By URSULA REEL
AP Hockey Writer
April 15, 2002


NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Rangers' NHL-high payroll no longer includes coach Ron Low.

The Rangers fired Low on Monday after two losing seasons and zero postseason appearances despite base salaries totaling about $70 million in 2001-02.

The team went 36-38-4-3 this season and finished 11th in the Eastern Conference. It was the fifth straight year New York failed to make the playoffs.

``I don't think it's just the coach's responsibility in a situation like this. We all share equally in this,'' Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said. ``But in every situation, someone ends up taking the blame and it's generally the coach. It's unfortunate, but it's the way it has to be.''

Sather would not say what, specifically, Low did wrong.

``I'm not going to get into anything negative,'' the GM said. ``Ron is a hard-working guy.''

Sather is holding a position in the organization for Low in case he's not hired by another team before next season.

``There's a job for him if he's looking for one,'' he said.

The Rangers led the conference standings in early December and were atop the Atlantic Division as late as Jan. 5. But the team went 3-11-1 from Dec. 31-Feb. 6, sinking its season.

The roster featured seven players who were at the Salt Lake City Olympics, including stars such as goaltender Mike Richter, defenseman Brian Leetch and forward Eric Lindros.

Sather added high-scoring forward Pavel Bure at the trading deadline, but the Rangers still fell short of the playoffs despite his late flurry of goals.

Low's record in New York was 69-81-9-4. He missed one game this season to attend the funeral of his brother, who died of cancer.

In seven NHL seasons, including five with the Edmonton Oilers, Low is 208-243-49-4.

``We had to do something,'' Sather said. ``We wanted to go into next year with a fresh start and fresh ideas. That's what we're doing.''

Ken Hitchcock, who coached the Dallas Stars to the 1999 Stanley Cup title, is a candidate to replace Low, Sather said. The Stars fired Hitchcock in January and didn't qualify for the playoffs.

``I've spoken to Dallas and I've received permission'' to talk to Hitchcock, Sather said.

Asked what he likes about Hitchcock, Sather said: ``Just his history.''

Rangers captain Mark Messier has said he's not interested in coaching the team.

Low, a former NHL goaltender, was liked by his players but was sometimes perceived to be under pressure to cater to Sather's wishes. On Sunday, Sather strongly denied reports he gave advice during games to Low via a walkie-talkie.

When the Rangers were eliminated from playoff contention, Low said he thought the Rangers had played hard for him. He blamed the team's problems on injuries to Lindros and Messier and poor special teams play.

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When asked about former Sabres coach Ted Nolan as a possible candidate, Sather said: "Would I consider Teddy Nolan? Sure."

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Sather also identified assistant coach Walt Kyle, Hartford Wolf Pack coach John Paddock and former Sabres coach Ted Nolan as potential candidates.

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SI's Michael Farber
People are talking up Ken Hitchcock and Ken Burns, but the guy to look is Herb Brooks.

Brooks made it clear when he took the Pittsburgh job that he wanted it only temporarily, but going back to New York at this stage of his life would provide a nice nest egg and get him out of the scouting game, which is even heavier on travel than coaching.

Plus, he’d take over a pretty good team. Brooks is an offensive coach who has shown a strong attention to detail and he would be a nice mix philosophically with Rangers general manager Glen Sather.

Hitchcock is probably the best coach not working right now and it showedthat when he was at Kamloops he could coach powerhouse offensive team, butthe defensive scheme he used in Dallas -- and his sometimes testy relationshipwith players -- wouldn’t play well in Manhattan.

Burns deserves to be working. Indeed, earlier in the season he was one ortwo games form taking over in Carolina. But the longer he’s out of the league, the further he seems to recede in the minds of general managers.

Right now, Brooks would be considered the front-runner, although the search is just starting.

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Another riveting, interesting, relevant, and thought out post by Isles Baby.

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oh did you say something? i wasn't paying attention..

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Have a Question? Or Just wondering why I'm so angry?
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Total Posts: 259

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Some People just don't get it ziggy

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A lot of people blame Low. Let's face some facts - he isn't the one going out playing every night. It's the players who have to get the job done

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"Our system has nothing to do with when we have the puck at all," Hitchcock said. "And I'm never telling a Pavel Bure or Eric Lindros or Brett Hull or Mike Modano what to do with the puck — that's just not happening. But defensive hockey to me — and that is just the play without the puck — there isn't a lot of room for negotiation."

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