Report: New York Rangers to hire Alain Vigneault as head coach

Alain Vigneault has compiled a 422-288 career record with the Canucks and Canadiens. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers are in the process of signing ex-Canucks coach Alain Vigneault as their new head coach, the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard is reporting.

Vigneault will replace John Tortorella, the Rangers' coach of the last five years who the team fired on May 29 after a second-round playoff loss to the Bruins.

Vigneault, 52, is the Canucks' all-time leader in wins as a coach with 313 over his seven seasons in Vancouver, which included six playoff appearances but just one Stanley Cup appearance (2010-11). He previously coached the Montreal Canadiens from 1997-2001.

https://twitter.com/NYDNRangers/status/345972821240995841

Vigneault turned down an offer from the Dallas Stars, according to multiple reports. He was fired by the Canucks on May 22 after they were swept by the Sharks in the first round of the playoffs.

The Rangers have reached the playoffs in seven of the past eight years, but have advanced past the second round just once, a 2012 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Devils.

interviewed former captain and current special assistant Mark Messier