It was reported that Michael Peca would be joining the Chicago Blackhawks organization as an assistant coach under newly hired Jeff Blashill. We now know why Michael Peca left the Rangers.![Michael Peca]()
The New York Rangers are undergoing a retooling, and while it's most visible with the Mike Sullivan regime taking hold in MSG, there's more to the story.
Michael Peca left the Rangers, much like Peter Laviolette did, in shambles. Under Peca, the team's power-play production declined significantly, falling from #3 in 2023-2024 to 28th in the league.
Peca left the organization very abruptly, after spending only two years in New York. Before he arrived in MSG, he was the Coach of the AHL's Rochester Americans, the affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres.
The Rangers' massive decline on the special teams is a glaring reason why Peca might have to look elsewhere for work.
Peca was able to interview with Mike Sullivan in order to remain in the organization, but it appeared there wasn't a fit, and led him to find work with Jeff Blashill.
Peca didn't do a great job of adjusting the power-play as the percentage dipped from 26.4% to 17.6% in just one season.
Going from 3rd to 28th is a dip that belies not only a structural problem, but a coaching problem in the organization as well.
If the Rangers are to improve this offseason, Mike Sullivan will have to find an assistant coach who can fine-tune the power-play into the once lethal unit it was during the Presidents' Trophy run.
The team finished 5th in the Metropolitan Division and had no identity at the end of the season.
