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Rangers complete holiday break, World Juniors Tourney start today |
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The Rangers complete their three-day holiday break and resume action Saturday versus the Lightning. New York closes out 2024 facing the Florida Panthers. Nothing like two "easy" games for a struggling team to get their bearings. The Blueshirts sit 16-17-1 after a 5-0-1 and 12-4-1 start, showing just how bad the collapse has been.
Our collective hope is that the time off gave this feckless and soft team some heart, as mentioned by Vincent Trocheck. Consider me highly skeptical based on what I have seen to date, especially recently. The trade freeze ending will ramp up speculation that another big name is on his way out the door. Who that is and if that will actually happen remains to be seen. GM Chris Drury and coach Peter Laviolette have both shown a willingness to be calculating and ruthless in their dealings, so almost no one should themselves as safe.
The team's collapse and who will be dealt, barring a 180-degree turnaround similar in nature to what happened with the collapse - will be a topic of conversation from now to the March 7 trading deadline. We have morphed from discussing who could be acquired to bolster the lineup to make another long run to trying to determine who should go and what would be the optimal return for each. The transition from the Letter to the Memo has been stark, especially coming off an ECF run and hot start to the season. Even though we know the fine start was fool's gold and gilded, I don't think anyone expected this level of collapse and lack of push back.
It's the latter that has been so galling. Losing is one thing. Being embarrassed nightly and showing no or minimal pushback is a whole other matter. In New York, losing can be mildly tolerated if the effort is there. If not, you will be eviscerated, which is what is rightfully happening now, If New York comes out on fire and wins both Sunshine State games with convincing performances, the narrative will change. If not, take us to Defcon 1 and pray.
In good news, the World Juniors start today. The Rangers have three players suiting up, two for the US and one for Sweden. Gabe Perreault has one of the A's on his chest for Team USA and has a chance to be named the best player in the tournament. I think we all are looking forward to seeing him in another red,white and blue jersey before too long. Drew Fortescue, taken 90th overall in the third round in the 2023 draft, will man a top-four blueliner spot. He is known as a defensive defenseman, similar to EJ Emery, last year's first round pick, who was one of the last cuts for the team. If the Rangers have a crying need, it's for an offensive blueliner in the system. Rico Gredig, taken 191 in the sixth round last year and playing for Davos HC in the SHL, is on Team Switzerland.
Tourney Preview:
Settle in and watch Perreault, who is skating with Ryan Leonard (Capitals) and James Hagens (possible first overall pick this year). That line should be one of the best in the tourney. I want to see if Fortescue's puck handling and movement has improved the past year.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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