Mark Messier is a strong candidate to take over as the New York Rangers' head coach, according to ESPN New York. The Rangers' former captain has been linked to the job before and is a special assistant to team president Glen Sather, but he has never coached in the NHL before.
Mark Messier reportedly a strong candidate for Rangers head coach
The Rangers are considering giving Mark Messier his first head coaching job.
Justin K. Aller
Messier is reportedly discussing the possibility of taking the job with his family and is strongly considering pursuing the job, just as the team is strongly considering hiring him.
The Rangers have not won a Stanley Cup since 1994, when Messier led the team to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. He remains a legend in New York for that Stanley Cup, but whether he would be a popular pick as a head coach remains to be seen because of his lack of experience.
Wayne Gretzky has also been linked to the Rangers’ opening, but it is considered unlikely that he is hired. The thinking is that if he wanted the New York job, he would have reached out to the team and made it clear by now.
The Rangers are looking for a new head coach after firing John Tortorella earlier in the week. Sather said on Wednesday that he would like to hire a head coach before the NHL Draft on June 30.
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