Rangers coaching rumors: 5 replacements for Alain Vigneault

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers speaks to the media after practice at Citi Field on December 31, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The team will take part in the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Years Day. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin- Getty Images /

4. Adam Oates

Oates has been out of coaching, at least formally, since being let go by the New Jersey Devils after serving as “co-head coach” with Scott Stevens during the 2014-15 season. Before that he was an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Devils, then was head coach of the Washington Capitals for two seasons with a division title in his first season (2012-13).

Oates did side work with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter of the Minnesota Wild a couple years ago, outside the authority of then-head coach Mike Yeo, was the object of some controversy. That “consulting” may be keeping Oates out of the mix for NHL head coaching jobs, though he did interview with the San Jose Sharks in 2015 and was pointed to as a candidate for the Arizona Coyotes job last summer before Rick Tocchet was hired.

It’s unclear if Oates has the desire to be an NHL head coach again, or if there’s some sort of secret mandate from the league office not to consider him, let alone hire him, as one due to the side work he was doing or continues to do. But he could be just the guy the Rangers need, far enough removed from a bad final season as Capitals’ coach and an odd head coaching arrangement with the Devils to be a fresh voice with a fresh perspective.

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