Peter Laviolette concluded an exceptional debut season as the coach of the New York Rangers. While it was a season marked by record-breaking achievements, it fell short of being the most successful first season for a coach in the franchise’s history.
Under Laviolette’s guidance, the Rangers achieved a franchise-record 55 wins and amassed 114 points in the regular season, securing their fourth Presidents’ Trophy. His coaching prowess earned him a spot in the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, and he garnered significant recognition by finishing fourth in the voting for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year, with five first-place votes, tying for the third-highest among all coaches.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Laviolette steered the New York Rangers to a 10-6 record, leading them to the Eastern Conference Final before they were ultimately eliminated by the Florida Panthers. With a combined total of 65 wins, this achievement surpassed Gerard Gallant’s record of 62 combined wins and a conference final appearance in the 2021-22 season, making Laviolette the second-most successful coach in his first season with the Blueshirts.
Exactly, Mike Keenan holds the top spot on that list. In the 1993-94 season, his first and only season with the Rangers, Keenan led the team to 52 wins and their second Presidents’ Trophy. His coaching prowess reached its pinnacle during the playoffs, where he guided the Rangers to a 16-7 record, securing their fourth Stanley Cup championship and their first in 54 years. Keenan’s remarkable achievement solidifies his place as the most successful coach in his debut season with the Rangers.
Indeed, those 68 combined victories represent the highest number for a coach in his inaugural season with the Rangers. Alongside Mike Keenan’s legendary achievement, Frank Boucher stands as the only other coach to win the Stanley Cup in his first season with the Rangers, accomplishing this feat in 1939-40. Boucher’s season saw 34 wins in total, with 26 during the regular season and eight during the playoffs, during a time when the league consisted of only six teams, and the schedule was shorter.
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