Peter Laviolette and the Rangers GM deserve a far share of blame for the slump
Photo credit: New Jersey Hockey Now
The New York Rangers have been attempting to correct course, as they've recently been in another slump this season.
This time, it was during their Western Road Trip which led to a split in results, with a 2-2 outcome.
The Rangers lost to the rebuilding Calgary Flames, and former Stanley Cup contender Edmonton Oilers.
While the players have shouldered plenty of the blame, and they should have received plenty of tongue lashings in the media, by pundits, and by their coach.
But what if it isn't the player's fault by themselves? It wasn't the players who constructed this team, and they didn't coach the team.
Obviously, the blame has yet to land where it should, on the GM and Head coach's shoulders.
Is it a case of the coach losing the players? THN's Stan Fischler thinks so:
1. The coach says "Do it this way" and the players do it THAT way.
2. The players perform as if they're dead from the neck up.
3. The coach pleads "yes-yes," but there's no-no in the skaters' eyes."
2. The players perform as if they're dead from the neck up.
3. The coach pleads "yes-yes," but there's no-no in the skaters' eyes."
Given their recent performance against the St. Louis Blues, it's hard to argue against it as they yet again gave up an easy game to a rebuilding team.
It looks like Laviolette has lost the room in his 2nd year coaching the Rangers, and it's not his problem to own alone.
GM Chris Drury failed to secure top talent during the offseason and is ironically looking to unload, top-six talent now.
"Chris Drury didn't do anything in the off-season," complains reader Bernard Rohde in Bethpage, Long Island. "This team's Stanley Cup window has passed them by. "
The team is in trouble and all the Trouba trade talk may have had a negative effect on the dressing room."
The team is in trouble and all the Trouba trade talk may have had a negative effect on the dressing room."
Not to mention, the Rangers unintentionally created a public stir, when news of Igor Shesterkin's contract demands dropped in the media.
It's been a real mess that Drury has created, and it could be a fact of ineffectual coaching, plus a lack of influence.
And a GM who uses fear tactics to rile a roster has created a toxic environment in the Rangers locker room.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 26 | 1477 ANSWERS Peter Laviolette and the Rangers GM deserve a far share of blame for the slump Do you think GM Chris Drury has created a toxic environment in the New York Rangers locker room? | ||
| Yes | 1074 | 72.7 % |
| No | 403 | 27.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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