Michael Peca Leaving Rangers for Blackhawks

Assistant coach Michael Peca will not be returning to the Rangers next season, as confirmed on Thursday.

The 51-year-old is reportedly joining the staff of new Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill after completing his last two seasons with the Rangers.

After discussions with both Peca and the new Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, sources indicated that the organization believes this change is beneficial for everyone involved.

The Rangers are currently in the process of finalizing their coaching staff, which includes a continuation with goalkeeper coach Jeff Malcolm and skill coach Christian Humra.

During his time as assistant, Peca is credited with significantly improving the Rangers’ performance. Over the past two seasons, the team boasted the fifth-highest showdown percentage in the NHL at 52.9%, a notable increase from previous seasons where they finished under 50%.

Former head coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged Peca’s effectiveness in the showdown department, highlighting his success in creating opportunities for players during face-offs and overall game preparation.

Additionally, Peca was responsible for the Rangers’ Power Play, which excelled in his first year but saw a decline in the second, alongside various other aspects of the team’s performance.

In the 2023-24 season, the Rangers held the third-best power play percentage at 26.4%, but unfortunately dropped to 28th this past season with only 17.6% efficiency.