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NEW YORK -- Before Alain Vigneault signed on for the job he said he couldnt turn down, the New York Rangers new coach got two important thumbs-up that led him to the Big Apple. Vigneaults hockey coaching jobs over the past decade have taken him far away from his home in Gatineau, Quebec, and separated the divorced father from his two daughters for far too long. When the recently fired coach of the Vancouver Canucks was faced with the decision of continuing his career with the Dallas Stars or the Rangers, he chose the place that is just a one-hour flight from his family. "I was thinking about the opportunity to coach the New York Rangers, one of the Original Six teams, in this great city," he said Friday at his introductory news conference. "There is not a chance I could pass that up." Vigneault was given a five-year contract about a month after he was dismissed by the Canucks and three weeks after New York fired combustible coach John Tortorella. Vigneault visited his daughters in Montreal and got a clear message from them where they wanted him to go. When he went into the apartment of his 20-year-old daughter, Janie, at college, he saw two mugs on the table -- one with a Rangers logo and the other with a Dallas Stars insignia. Then he received a much clearer signal. "They were sitting on the couch, and they both had Yankee hats on," Vigneault said. "So I said, I know where you want me to go. Ill see what I can do." Visits that had been limited to Christmas and maybe another time during the season can now increase to multiple times per month. "They both like to shop," he said. Vigneault let the Stars know he was taking himself out of the running to be their bench boss and worked out a deal with the Rangers -- one that will reportedly pay him $2 million per season. "I want to win," Vigneault said. "I did find out that it is a lot easier to negotiate yourself a contract when youve got two teams that are after you than just one." With that, he gave Glen Sather, the Rangers president and general manager a hearty pat on the back as those in the room broke out in laughter. "I didnt particularly enjoy that part," Sather said with a smile. Although he has yet to win the Stanley Cup, Vigneault brings a wealth of experience and success into his third NHL head coaching job. His most appealing attribute might be that he is so different than Tortorella -- on and off the ice. That was evident Friday when Vigneault was introduced at Radio City Music Hall. In the short window of time in which he met with media members, Vigneault smiled and joked more times than anyone could remember his predecessor doing in 4 1/2 seasons. The 52-year-old Vigneault brings a welcoming demeanour away from the rink and a more offensive philosophy on it -- in contrast with Tortorellas way of working in the defensive zone and putting a premium on blocking shots in front of star goalie Henrik Lundqvist. "We needed a change in style," Sather said. "You look at the injuries ... we needed to move the puck out quick. That style was perfect for a couple of years, but it started to wear our team out." Vigneault edged out former Rangers captain Mark Messier, longtime former Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff and others. In 11 seasons as an NHL head coach with Montreal and Vancouver, Vigneault is 422-288-35-61 in 806 games. "Im going into this with an open mind," Vigneault said. "I think (players) should be too. Im going in with a clean slate. Lets see what we can write on that slate." Vigneault was interviewed last week during the Rangers organizational meetings in California and then met with team owner James Dolan in New York. "We had a list of 13 candidates and I narrowed it down to nine," Sather said. "It wasnt just between A.V. and Mark." Vigneault and Sather will now work on filling out the coaching staff. It is unknown if Messier, a special assistant to Sather, will remain with the Rangers. Messier, a Hall of Fame player, lacks the coaching experience Vigneault is loaded with. "It was a difficult decision. Weve both grown up with each other," Sather said of passing on Messier. "At this stage, A.V. was the man. Mark has got to decide what he wants to do." Tortorella was fired May 29 -- four days after the Rangers were eliminated by Boston. A year ago, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference finals. In an odd twist, Tortorella was reportedly offered the job on Friday to replace Vigneault in Vancouver. Sather insisted that no player came to him and asked for Tortorella to be fired. No players were in attendance Friday. "There hasnt been a player who ... complained to me about Torts," Sather said. When asked if Tortorella was stubborn in resisting adopting a more offensive style, Sather had a quick answer. "Maybe beyond stubborn," he said. "He was perfect for us for a few years. Hes going to be perfect for another team, but it was getting to be so hard on some of our players. "We needed to make a change to give them a little fresh life and more of an optimistic view of how to play." Vigneault ranked first on the Canucks list in coaching wins and came within one victory of capturing the Stanley Cup in 2011. In seven seasons, Vigneault was 313-170-57 in the regular season but only 33-32 in the playoffs. In his final two seasons, Vancouver was knocked out in the first round -- including a sweep by San Jose last month. The early-round exits when the Canucks were the higher-seeded team, and losses at home at the starts of the series, were cited by general manager Mike Gillis as reasons for Vigneaults firing on May 22. "There is no doubt in my mind that this organization is committed to winning the Stanley Cup," Vigneault said of the Rangers. Messier captained the Rangers past the Canucks in the 1994 Stanley Cup finals. Vancouver lost another Game 7 in the finals against Boston in 2011. "I saw some of the pictures from the last time this city won the Cup," Vigneault said. "Its real clear to me that there is no better place to win the Stanley Cup than here in New York." China Shoes Black Friday . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Buy Shoes Black Friday . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Wholesale Shoes Black Friday Free Shipping . A statement from the worlds top-ranked player says all checks "were satisfactory and showed positive evolution" regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne. Shoes Black Friday Deals 2020 . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. HARRISON, N.J. -- The mood in the Montreal Impacts locker room on Saturday was as candid as it was unforgiving. It is time for thorough introspection. "I think weve tossed enough (games) out already," said goalkeeper Troy Perkins after the Montreal Impact lost 4-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Montreal, which is 1-3-2 in its last six games, fell to 9-5-4 overall. The Impact and Red Bulls (9-7-7) have the most points in the Eastern Conference with 31 points apiece. However, Montreal is still first overall in the conference because it has played two fewer games than New York. The Red Bulls also have two more losses than the Impact. "When youre afraid like this -- we (knew) we had to score some goals and (earn) some points here -- but when you dont believe in something, you dont have a chance," said Impact manager Marco Schallibaum. "The team that comes from far away to be in first place is good. But to stay there is very difficult because everybody wants to beat you. "We must be stronger on the field. Thats why I say they (were) too afraid. When youre (in) first (place), you must play like a top team and in the first half we werent a top team." Facing a New York team that had entered the game having lost three of four, the Impact had eight shot attempts on goal and Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles only had to make four saves. His most difficult saves were diving stops in the 49th and 71st minutes. "We didnt score tonight," said Montreal midfielder Justin Mapp. That was somewhat problematic as New York spent the majority of the match dictating play. The Red Bulls finished the game with 11 shots on goal. "At some point it is probably frustrating," Perkins said of the New York attack. "Over the past four games its beeen like that.dddddddddddd." Thierry Henry, Eric Alexander, Tim Cahill and Peguy Lyuindula scored for New York. Henry also added two assists. Henry was directly responsible for New Yorks first three goals. He set up Alexanders game-opening goal at the 10 minute mark with a quick pass. Alexander split three defenders in the box before driving a shot past Perkins to the far left corner to give New York a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Henry doubled the advantage when he tapped Fabian Espindolas crossing feed into the net. New York midfielder Tim Cahill headed Henrys corner kick in the 63rd minute past Perkins to increase the Red Bulls lead to 3-0. "Hes a good player," Schallibaum said of Henry. "Hes been showing us for 20 years hes a good player. We know the quality (of) Thierry Henry and he (showed) us again tonight. Congratulations." Lyuindula ended the scoring with a penalty kick goal in the 87th minute. The forward was taken down in the box and he converted for his first goal in the MLS. "Peguy has a vision of the game thats better than most people," said New York coach Mike Petke. "He sees things, his control is great; hes a setup man he hasnt been able to find the back of the net. As a forward thats frustrating. "I think its very important that Peguy stepped up and took that shot and converted it. Its all about (scoring streaks) and its all about confidence for forwards specifically. So now hopefully we could count on one more (forward) thats going to get on a roll. That would be great." Midfielder Davy Arnaud (45th minute) and Defender Matteo Ferrari (61st minute) were assessed yellow cards. The announced attendance was 17,235 included a small but energetic Impact cheering section in the upper deck. ' ' '