It seems as though the New York Rangers front office may now be finally joining that bandwagon, too, if we can believe this report from Larry Brooks.
If the report is true – and we have no reason to think otherwise right now – then it’s no longer a matter of if the Rangers should move on from AV, but when. It’s hard to imagine an organization could drastically change their opinion of Vigneault if he simply beats the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. It takes time and discussion to come to the conclusion it’s time to move on from a coach, and the result of one particular game is not going to be enough of a reason to keep someone around.
If the Rangers win, will the team still fire AV on Wednesday? Not necessarily, but the decision is already made. All the team has to do then is determine which loss will be big enough to make the move official.
It’s a long time coming. A lot of the issues haunting the Rangers this season is a direct result of this team’s management. And if this team is truly rebuilding on the fly, then Alain Vigneault was never the coach for this team. How can you employ a coach adverse to playing young players when your new team mantra is to play young players?
Removing AV from the bench is step one, but this team is now in a large enough hole that a new head coach may not be enough.[/text_output][image type=”circle” src=”800″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]-Greg Kaplan [/text_output]
First and foremost, after having to read hot take after hot take from certain fans thinking that trading Chris Kreider, one of the best forwards on this team, is the antidote this team needs, I was grateful to see the recent Larry Brooks column that Greg referenced above regarding AV’s tenuous-at-best status with the team. Don’t get me wrong, this team is more than just a coaching change away from being a playoff contender, but to trade away one of your best players, particularly one whom is also on a team-friendly deal, before making a coaching change would’ve been completely asinine.
On a related note, there has been a bunch of chatter on social media about the Rangers shopping Chris Kreider. Let’s be very clear, Elliot Friedman, whose comments sparked the recent speculation, DID NOT say the Rangers are “shopping” Kreider. Friedman simply named Kreider as a guy that Edmonton could possibly be looking to acquire if the teams are indeed talking. The fact that so many don’t understand that there is a gigantic chasm of gray area in between the Rangers “actively shopping” a player, and another team possibly being interested in acquiring a player, never ceases to amaze me.
Speaking of which, as much as I like Chris Kreider, there isn’t a single soul on this team that should be deemed untouchable. While I do not think this team needs to tank and completely overhaul it’s roster, I do think that every player has his price. I do not advocate actively shopping some of the bigger name guys that still have multiple years left on their deals, but given the situation the team finds themselves in, they would be foolish to not listen to offers on anyone on the team, including Zuccarello, McDonagh and Kreider. You never know, maybe a team gets desperate enough and gives the Rangers an offer they truly can’t refuse for one of them. Like I said, every player has his price.
Assuming this team does not have some miraculous turnaround between now and the trade deadline, they absolutely should look to trade all impending UFAs at the trade deadline: Rick Nash, David Deshardines, Michael Grabner and Nick Holden. This upcoming draft is both good at the top, and deep, and if the team can get a handful of picks that they could use for themselves, or possibly package and move up to get higher in the first or a falling target in the latter rounds, that should be considered a huge win.
Lastly, Pavel Buchnevich is very good at hockey. I wrote about him last week, and he will most definitely have a prominent role in an article I will write in the next week or two, which will highlight some noteworthy performances thus far for the Rangers.[/text_output][image type=”circle” float=”none” src=”805″ alt=”” href=”” title=”” info_content=”” lightbox_caption=”” id=”” class=”aligncenter” style=””][text_output]-Drew Way [/text_output][custom_headline id=”” class=”” style=””]Free Buch[/custom_headline][text_output]Hope is but a dream.
I had the pleasure of attending the Coyotes vs Rangers game last Thursday at MSG and guess what happened? Pavel Buchnevich had a 3 point game and the second least amount of ice time. How is it possible that we are still underusing one of our best young and talented players in a season that is quickly going down the drain? If this season is going to continue the way it’s been going, this team is going to need to thrust the future into the spotlight and quick. That will all change is AV is officially out this week.
Also it is absolutely inexcusable to have Pavlec start two games in a row and call him “the hot hand”. If I’m hank and I’m on the bench during that Habs game, I’m absolutely furious. Pavlec let up 5 goals, somewhich weren’t all his fault but when you’re going against Carey Price and you get 4 goals, that’s a game you have to win.
#FreeBuch[/text_output][text_output]- Ryan Mead[/text_output]
Author: BSB Staff
This Article is presented to you in High Definition Surround Sound by some or all of the Blueshirts Breakaway Staff. At least whoever wasn’t lazy enough to contribute.