The Rangers hired former Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette

the New York Rangers On Tuesday, the team announced the appointment of Peter Laviolette as its head coach. Sources told ESPN he agreed to a three-year deal with New York.

Laviolette, 58, has coached 21 years in the NHL, most recently with the rival Rangers. Washington Capitals Last season. The Capitals did not renew Laviolette’s contract after he missed the playoffs.

The Rangers will be the fifth team coached by Laviolette in the D.C. Division. He also had periods with Carolina HurricanesAnd New York Islanders And Philadelphia Flyers.

With 752 career victories, Laviolette is the eighth winningest coach in NHL history and has the most wins of any American-born coach. He coached Carolina to the Stanley Cup in 2006 and led two other teams to the Finals: Philadelphia in 2010 and Nashville in 2017.

“Peter’s impressive resume, which includes winning the Stanley Cup and advancing to the Final with three different teams, has made him one of the most respected coaches in the league,” club owner James Dolan said in a statement. “As we move forward with our goal of consistently competing for the Stanley Cup, I am confident that Peter is the right coach to lead our team.”

The Rangers parted ways with Gerard Gallant after a first-round loss to New Jersey Devils in May. Gallant led the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022. Gallant was under contract through the 2024-25 season.

The Rangers have cast a wide net in their search, but have taken on a veteran coach because the organization believes it can win a championship as soon as next year, sources tell ESPN.

Among the rookie coaches the Rangers have spoken to are Spencer Carberry (who was hired by the Capitals) and Jay Leach, an assistant coach at Seattle Kraken.

Sources said the Rangers left most of the assistant coaching staff — while keeping longtime goaltending coach Benoit Allaire — so Laviolette and GM Chris Drury will now fill those positions.