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As we await smoke signals from Madison Square Garden announcing the next head coach of the New York Rangers, let’s dive into a handful of questions submitted by our readers…

A lot of people are wondering the same, Dean.

For weeks now, multiple sources have indicated that Peter Laviolette is the favorite. Nothing that’s transpired in the last handful of days has changed that perception, but the fact that he hasn’t been announced as of Tuesday afternoon is only fueling speculation about team president Chris Drury longing for alternatives.

I do believe there’s a degree of truth to that. For all Laviolette has accomplished, his next job will be his sixth. At a certain point, seeing the same guy in that many places creates a stale feeling. Meanwhile, the rest of the shallow pool of available coaches don’t exactly jump off the page, either.

This much is clear: Gerard Gallant’s departure was about a lack of confidence in his ability to take the Rangers to the promised land, as opposed to having a preferred choice locked and loaded. It sounds like Gallant and Drury weren’t on the same page for a least a portion of this past season.

The belief around the league is that Drury has been waiting to see if a more appealing option shakes loose. I have it on fairly good authority that he was monitoring the situations in Pittsburgh and Toronto, but now that both teams have new general managers in place, all signs are pointing to Mike Sullivan and Sheldon Keefe keeping their respective coaching jobs.

John Hynes being let go by Nashville last week added a new candidate to the mix, with his history as Drury’s teammate at Boston University adding an intriguing layer of familiarity. But he’s not a slam dunk in the way that Sullivan would have been.

The good news for those who are growing impatient is that this appears to be heading toward the finish line. One source told me they believe a final decision will be announced before the end of the week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday.

At the moment, I would lay out these odds: Laviolette – 60%; Hynes – 30%; Other – 10%.

While Sullivan, Keefe and other wish-list candidates currently employed by other teams, there is one remaining experienced option who could feasibly come available soon: Joel Quenneville.

Hiring the three-time Stanley Cup champion would certainly come with ethical questions after he played a role in covering up sexual abuse allegations directed at former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich, but it’s unclear if the Rangers see that as disqualifying. The 64-year-old is expected to meet with Gary Bettman at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, and if he gets the commissioner’s blessing, he could be free for any team to interview.