Rangers’ Offseason Changes Impact AHL Hartford Staff
This past Sunday, the Rangers confirmed some significant changes to their coaching staff in the AHL Hartford branch. Head coach Grant Potulny, along with assistant coaches Jamie Tardif and Paul Mara, have all been let go by the Wolfpack.
Hartford had a tough season, finishing last in the Atlantic Division with just 60 points and missing the Calder Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive year. This disappointing outcome mirrored the struggles of the Blueshirts, who also wrapped up their season last in the Eastern Conference amid a broader public reassessment of their organization.
Grant Potulny has led the Wolfpack for the past two seasons. He stepped in after Kris Knoblauch was named head coach for the Oilers during the 2023-24 season, with assistant Steve Smith taking over on an interim basis for a time.
Before his tenure in Hartford, Potulny coached at Northern Michigan for seven seasons, which is, I think, quite an experience to shape his coaching style.
Tardif had been with Hartford since the 2022-23 season, while Mara joined more recently, being brought on as a player development assistant just last August before stepping up in December 2023.
As the Rangers and Wolfpack prepare for the upcoming season, Hartford’s staff changes signify a new approach for an organization looking to redefine its identity. Notably, Jed Ortmayer, who has been the director of player development since 2017, has departed to explore new opportunities, as reported by a local source.
Interestingly, just a day after Ortmayer’s departure was announced, Tanner Glass, who had served as assistant director of player development since 2019, was officially promoted—a quick move, perhaps indicative of the internal shifts happening.
In recent years, the Rangers have successfully developed many prospects, yet there were notable exceptions such as Gabe Perreault (the 2023 first-round pick) and Noah Raba (the 2022 fourth-round selection), who joined the NHL club last year.
Recent drafts have seen some ups and downs. For instance, top-10 picks like Alexis Lafrenière (2020), Kaapo Kakko (2019), and Vitali Kravtsov (2018) have not lived up to expectations. Given that Kakko and Kravtsov are no longer with the club, there’s pressure on Lafrenière to demonstrate that his recent improvement is sustainable, not just a fleeting moment.
Ultimately, many of the challenges the Rangers face begin with their NHL roster, which is a significant factor contributing to last season’s downward trend.
Looking forward, the organization is keen on strengthening its foundation, emphasizing development and prospects. This change in staffing is seen as crucial to shaping what the future holds for the Blueshirts.
