Rangers fire coach Vigneault

The New York Rangers fired coach Alain Vigneault hours after they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

General manager Jeff Gorton announced the firing Saturday night, a full day before the end of the NHL regular season but long after New York’s playoff hopes were gone.

The Rangers made the playoffs in four of Vigneault’s five seasons as coach, including a 2014 trip to the Stanley Cup Final. They went 226-147-37 in the regular season under Vigneault, who is third in regular-season and playoff wins in franchise history.

New York’s front office decided in the middle of this season to go young, sell at the trade deadline and begin a rebuilding process in the hopes of becoming a title contender again. Vigneault repeatedly said he believed the Rangers would have made the playoffs if they didn’t go in that direction.

After a 5-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon, the veteran coach said he expected to be back next season.

“My staff is the right staff for this job,” Vigneault said. “This is just my opinion, but I think one of the strongest assets of this organization is its coaching staff. They’re experienced.” It’s unclear if assistants Lindy Ruff and Scott

Arniel will return or be considered for the head job. Vigneault, who turns 57 in May, has coached 16 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Rangers. His team made the playoffs 11 times, and he took Vancouver to the 2011 Cup Final.

Because of that track record, Vigneault should be a candidate to coach in the NHL next season, which would take the Rangers off the hook for his contract.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp said he expected to retire following Saturday night’s finale in his native Winnipeg. “It’s never easy, but I’m just ready to take that next step in my life, and I’m looking forward to it,” Sharp said Friday after starting in what was likely his final game at the United Center.