Rangers' Vigneault: 'There are definitely going to be some changes'
After a disappointing first-round exit against the Pittsburgh Penguins, head coach Alain Vigneault told reporters Tuesday that every player on the New York Rangers will be evaluated as the team shifts its focus to next season.
"There are definitely going to be some changes as an organization," Vigneault said, as quoted by The Record's Andrew Gross. The bench boss added that the club needs to look at changes to its core group, and that its defense was a problem throughout the season.
"There's no denying that inconsistency this year was a big part of our season, especially from our back end," he said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
The Rangers coach also said the team will wait 7-10 days before it begins assessing its personnel to avoid making any "drastic" decisions.
AV says he cannot say at this time whether all his assistant coaches will be back next season.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) April 26, 2016
One player Vigneault openly endorsed is forward Kevin Hayes, who recorded 36 points in his second NHL season, but was scratched for the Rangers' final two games versus the Penguins.
"He's been given the guidelines, given the direction, now it's up to him to do it," the coach replied when asked if Hayes is part of the team's future.
Vigneault led New York to the conference finals last year and reached the finals the season before in his first campaign with the franchise.