Reeling Rangers fire coach Tom Renney

[IE]

Tom Renney has been fired as coach of the New York Rangers.General manager Glen Sather dismissed Renney and assistant Perry Pearn on Monday. No replacement has been chosen, but assistant Mike Pelino and goalie coach Benoit Allaire remain with the team.

The Rangers have won only twice in their last 12 games after leading the Atlantic Division much of the first half of the season.

The Rangers lost in overtime to Toronto on Sunday night, and are in a fifth-place tie in the Eastern Conference with 69 points ? two points ahead of ninth-place Carolina. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

Last week, division rival Pittsburgh fired coach Michel Therrien.

 

[Motorcat]

Sources say the New York Rangers and John Tortorella have an agreement in place that would make him the next head coach of the NHL team, but that the Tampa Bay Lightning have not yet been contacted for permission.

A current NHL on TSN analyst, Tortorella remains under contract to the Lightning for the balance of this season. In order for him to become head coach of the Rangers, he requires the blessing of the Lightning. Sources also tell TSN that the NHL's head office is now involved in the situation regarding the Rangers, the Lightning and John Tortorella.

- TSN