The New York Islanders weren’t the only team in The Big Apple to make an assistant coaching hire on Monday.
The New York Rangers also officially announced the hiring of Lindy Ruff to serve as an assistant on Alain Vigneault’s staff.
It had been reported several weeks ago that Ruff was going to join the Rangers’ staff.
Ruff spent the past four seasons coaching the Dallas Stars, making the playoffs in two of those years. He is currently in the top-five for both games coached and wins in NHL history.
Given Ruff’s track record in the NHL having him behind the bench would seem to put a little pressure on Vigneault, whether that is the intention here or not.
Along with the addition behind the bench, the Rangers have undergone some significant changes this offseason on the ice, trading Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta, buying out Dan Girardi and signing Kevin Shattenkirk and David Desharnais in free agency.