On the "Morning Cuppa Hockey" podcast with Johnny Lazarus, former Rangers assistant coach Michael Peca gave us some insight into the failed 2024-25 season. Peca would call the team out on their failure to regulate their emotion, which bled on the ice.![]()
The New York Rangers' failure to replicate their 2023-24 season resulted in a retool. GM Chris Drury has been tearing down the roster since December, and the emotional baggage weighed on the team.
That is if we're going by the words of former assistant coach of the Rangers, Michael Peca, who appeared on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast with Johnny Lazarus.
He went into significant detail about players and the organization dealt with that would "seep" into the locker room. Which means Peca had more than the usual baggage to deal with for the NHLers.
The Rangers lost their focus and were distracted while trying to cope with their emotions.
Peca believes that Igor Shesterkin tried to remain a foundation the team could rely on, but the relationship wasn't mutual, as we saw them let him down more than a few times this year.
Now, Peca is an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks after the teardown. He was a part of Peter Laviolette's regime on the team.
After Laviolette was fired, the exodus would begin, as we've seen Dan Muse get a head coaching role with the Penguins, while Peca joins Jeff Blashill in Chicago.
The New York Rangers had a tough year, seeing Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba go against their will.
It was likely one of many choices that caused the team to break, and Peca wouldn't hesitate to call them out for it.
Can Mike Sullivan patch up the hull and course-correct next year?
A 5th place finish, along with a 39-35-7 record isn't acceptable considering the team won the Presidents Trophy a year beforehand.
