In a development that’s sure to stir emotions in Rangers Nation, former head coach Alain Vigneault—who led the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years back in 2014—has resurfaced in the headlines. Vigneault, who was fired after the 2017-18 season following the Rangers’ first playoff miss in a decade, has reportedly sent a private message to current head coach Peter Laviolette.
And no, it wasn’t a scathing critique.
According to sources close to the situation, Vigneault’s message wasn’t just one of respect—it was a show of solidarity. The veteran coach reached out with words of encouragement amid what has been a rollercoaster season for the Blueshirts under Laviolette’s leadership.
> “Coaching in New York is like walking a tightrope in a hurricane,” Vigneault allegedly wrote. “The pressure, the expectations—it never lets up. Stay true to your system. The city only remembers results, but the players remember the man behind the bench.”
The message, which has yet to be publicly confirmed by either coach, comes at a time when Laviolette’s tactics and roster decisions have been under a microscope. With the Rangers fighting for positioning in the Eastern Conference and dealing with key injuries, the timing of this message raises eyebrows—and possibly a few spirits.
For longtime Rangers fans, Vigneault’s name evokes mixed memories. On one hand, he brought the team within three wins of the Stanley Cup in 2014, energized a core led by Henrik Lundqvist, and kept the Rangers competitive through most of his tenure. On the other, his exit was marred by a deteriorating locker room and the beginning of a rebuild that has only recently borne fruit.
Some see this gesture as Vigneault passing the torch with grace. Others wonder if it signals something more—perhaps a rekindled connection to the organization or even a quiet critique of how head coaches are treated in the Big Apple.
Whatever the case, it’s a rare moment of coach-to-coach camaraderie in a league that doesn’t often allow room for sentiment. With the postseason looming, Laviolette now has a message in his corner from one of the few men who truly knows the weight of coaching under the Garden’s bright lights.
Will it make a difference on the ice? Time will tell. But in a city where headlines often overshadow handshakes, this one feels like a moment worth remembering.