Peter Laviolette sends a clear strict message to all the players on the New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have to find a way to motivate their players. As the team struggles, players like Reilly Smith, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider have failed to live up to expectations. Now the consequences have arrived.
As recent as this Saturday, top-nine forward Reilly Smith had to ride the pine, while his teammates faced off against a rebuilding Montreal Canadiens team.
They'd ink out a victory 4-3, while Smith sat in the pressbox and observed. He sat one game, and tonight Jimmy Vesey will get his chance to view the ice from a pressbox.
It appears that Peter Laviolette is attempting to light a fire under Rangers players who fail to perform nightly.
Now, with the team losing the last five of their six games, the team needs a shakeup and this could be a jolt to players like Vesey and Smith who need to earn their spot in the lineup.
Prospects and Rookies Who Get a Look
With players like Will Cuylle, Brett Berard, Zac Jones, and Braden Schneider playing their best hockey it feels right that their efforts are rewarded with more ice time and responsibility.
Cuylle recently earned a spot on the 2nd power-play unit that had been held by Smith for some time.
Cuylle's been on a four-game point streak and has been on a breakout this season, and provides some healthy competition to veterans who are struggling, like Smith.
While the decisions to make lineup changes are tough, when Laviolette does find the right combination of veterans and rookies he should stick by it.
And continue to utilize the players who find their way to contribute nightly, Berard has scored 2 points( 1 G, 1 A) in four games this season as he continues to get a look in the NHL.
Can he capitalize upon this opportunity gifted to him by Peter Laviolette?
It isn't often that a Head Coach will entrust rookies and prospects with more responsibility.
Do you think Peter Laviolette is handling the lineup correctly?
