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Success rewarded: Rangers reportedly extend Vigneault through 2019-20

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Rangers - Game Four

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 21: Head coach Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers leaves the ice following a 5-0 defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Heading into the 2016-17 season, people wondered if Alain Vigneault could learn from the New York Rangers’ humbling playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It sure seems like the answer is “Yes,” something reinforced by the bump in job security (and pay) he reportedly received.

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports that Vigneault is now signed through 2019-20 and received a hefty $2 million bump in pay per season. Vigneault’s previous deal only ran through 2017-18.

After his successful run with the Vancouver Canucks, Vigneault’s shown a knack for making things work and churning out wins in a way that reminds of Bruce Boudreau.

He’s also managed to take the Rangers deep into the playoffs (after nearly winning a Stanley Cup with the Canucks).

The Rangers fell to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final and also made it to Game 7 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers are currently 31-17-1 with 63 points, a total that would put New York in the running for a division crown if it weren’t for the ridiculous Metropolitan Division.

Now, it’s no doubt that Vigneault has his critics, much like virtually every coach who’s been long enough for fans to sour on them. The obvious example is his seeming fixation on putting Tanner Glass in the Rangers lineup.

If you look at his results, it’s tough to argue with the logic of keeping him around. If you produce winner after winner, you’re probably doing something right.