Peter Laviolette, the head coach of the New York Rangers, is not interested in making drastic changes to his team’s strategy for the upcoming 2024-25 season. After a successful previous season that saw the Rangers achieve the most wins in the NHL and secure the Presidents’ Trophy, Laviolette believes in sticking to his tried and tested philosophies.
In a preseason news conference, Laviolette emphasized that winning the Presidents’ Trophy was never the team’s explicit goal. Instead, the focus was always on having good days, continuously improving, and winning hockey games on a short-term basis. Laviolette understands that there are 31 other teams vying for success and believes in keeping things simple and focusing on the daily tasks at hand.
While winning the Presidents’ Trophy in consecutive seasons is a rare feat, with only six teams having accomplished it, Laviolette acknowledges that not every team can take that next step. He believes that it is crucial for the Rangers to concentrate on the growth of the team and the daily work they put in. Despite their impressive performance last year, Laviolette reminds his team that this is a new year with new challenges, and they must maintain their focus and work ethic to find success.
Laviolette also expressed excitement about newcomer Reilly Smith, who the Rangers acquired from the Penguins in July. Laviolette sees Smith as a valuable addition to the team, particularly as the top right wing. He believes that Smith’s proven success and winning mentality will be beneficial to the team. While Laviolette plans to give Smith a chance in that position during training camp, he also emphasizes that it is a time for exploring different options and not boxing players or strategies out too early.
Overall, Laviolette’s approach to the upcoming season demonstrates his commitment to incremental growth and continuous improvement. He understands the challenges that come with maintaining success and believes in the importance of focusing on daily tasks rather than getting caught up in long-term goals. With his experience and dedication, Laviolette aims to guide the Rangers towards another successful season and potentially lead them to the Stanley Cup Final.
