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Rangers continue to sink to new low as NJ wipes the ice w/ them in 5-0 loss |
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Welcome back. After nearly two weeks out, the site is up and running. The same cannot be said for the Rangers as the only up and running for this team is going backwards in terms of play and the standings. I would say New York hit a new low in their 5-0 to New Jersey but that presumes that more won't follow.
Seems like every time we think things can't get worse, it does. The last 12 days have been a crazy time for the organization, yet we all keep waiting for more shoes to drop.
If you go back a few more days, the Rangers have:
- seen their captain traded to Anaheim;
- posted seven losses in nine games;
- dealt the second overall pick in the 2019 draft to Seattle for Will Borgen and picks a day after speaking his mind;
- suffered a pair of shutouts against in the last four contests,;
- Artemi Panarin sidelined for a few games by injury;
- K'Andre Miller out the last six contests;
- the Glimmer Twins broken up;
- Mika's ice time rightfully cut;
- Chris Kreider moved down to the third line then a healthy scratch today, and,
- brought Matt Rempe back up and then had him rightfully suspended for eight games after another silly penalty in his first game.
(if you want a positive, as TommyGTrain noted, Rangers prospects Perrault, Fortescue and Gredig will be playing for Team USA and Sweden in the WJC which start the day after Christmas)
While all of that is true, what might be most important and possibly linked to all that was just mentioned, we have an organization that looks completely fractured and has quit on the ice, (Let me know if I missed anything)
One thing I have always said is effort beats talent when talent lacks effort, When you combine talent and effort, as Carolina did yesterday and New Jersey did today, you have one heck of a combination. The Rangers used to have talent and effort. Right now, the talent is questionable and the effort is sorely lacking. It's rare that I am embarrassed as a fan. I have suffered through lean years as a Rangers, Jets, Mets and Knicks fan, and while the performance and talent has been lacking, if the team at least put some effort into the production on the court, field or ice, you would be disappointed but not embarrassed. Right now, we are embarrassed.
The embarrassment is not limited to just the product on the ice. New York's stench stems all the way from the GM's office, through the coach's office and into the locker room. This is a fractured and mentally weak team. Read all the comments after the game, especially Vincent Trocheck's, and this is a team trying to figure out what's happening and why. But words are empty and actions speak, so they can say anything they want and it means absolutely nothing based on what we have seen on the ice.
It's gotten so bad that the Rangers are being trolled by the opponent's social media team, which likely is allowed to travel with the team, unlike New York's. To the victor goes the spoils and this is how social media works. But I am a believer in winning with a little class and remember, turnabout is fair play. The fans are likely more annoyed than the players, but if they had any heart and recognized they were being put down, maybe they might show some more heart on the ice.
Kreider was scratched today. Based on his performance yesterday, the move was somewhat understandable. In fact, he has not played up to his potential for weeks. Maybe the back is still not 100%, but scratching a leader and face of the franchise sends a message. Coach Peter Lacviolette is searching for answers as nothing he has tried worked. While CK20 was the one in the press box today, I could name half a dozen others that should have joined him there or been the first ones to receive this treatment. GM Chris Drury's mishandling of the Jacob Trouba situation this offseason and filter down to the locker room started the snowball. His memo and naming of Trouba and Kreider added fire. The return for Trouba and Kakko was the accelerant. The recent performances and losses have torched the team and organization.
i would love to say there is an answer, one doesn't exist. Mika has completely checked out and deserves time in the press box. You all know my feelings for him but he looks disinterested and playing like he would rather be anywhere else. In fact, the whole team has played that way. The list of those who aren't providing effort day in and day out far outnumber those who are. New York's fourth line brings their lunch pails daily, Artemi Panarin has been engaged, Vincent Trocheck as well, beyond that, minimal. Alexis Lafreniere has mostly disappeared since his big deal. Adam Fox is a shell of himself while Ryan Lindgren has seen his game go far south. It's hit the point that Joe Micheletti, normally Mr. Positive, has been consistently ripping the team on air.
The last two times New York had the best record in the league they imploded the following season and the coach was fired. We certainly look to be heading for the holy trinity. Even though Laviolette is reportedly safe, can we see James Dolan sitting idly by while this happens? No one may be safe especially since Glen Sather, who reportedly was the buffer, is no longer in that position, Drury also may not be safe.
A firesale could be forthcoming. But the number of NMC limits what Drury can do, though as we have seen, the threat of as well as the placing of players on waivers has been used effectively. The trade freeze is in existence. When that lifts, I would be shocked if we don't see some kind of a move. I would say those in the room have to show the intestinal fortitude to dig out of this mess, but I don;t think they have the heart to do so.
Prove me wrong Rangers, I dare you.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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