We conducted a survey, and over a thousand of you shared your thoughts on the current state of the New York Rangers and their future as one of the NHL’s most unconventional franchises.
Had we posed this question a month ago, when the Rangers were at a low point, you likely would have expressed much darker sentiments: “Trade everyone! Fire everyone! Start fresh!” However, with the team now showing signs of improvement, the responses reflect a sense of hope. A significant majority of you believe playoffs are on the horizon this spring and that the strategy initiated by general manager Chris Drury—beginning with the departure of Barclay Goodrow in June and followed by Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko—should not lead to a complete overhaul.
Most of you also expressed confidence that Peter Laviolette can lead the team back to respectability. There is skepticism regarding Drury’s ability to construct a championship-caliber team, though; one commenter stated, “I have no faith that he can build a championship team. He needs to go before he causes even more damage.”
Just a month ago, this question would have seemed absurd, as the Rangers’ dismal December performance left them with only a slim chance of making the playoffs. However, their recent record of 7-1-3 has put them on the cusp of the playoff picture, and a strong base of data today supports a more optimistic outlook.
Those who voted in favor of making the playoffs can likely consider themselves vindicated come April. Most respondents believe the primary issue during the Rangers’ 19-game slump—and even in games before and after—was their overreliance on goaltending to compensate for missed scoring opportunities. Poor defensive play against fast breaks has been an ongoing problem, and the team struggled defensively during their December collapse.
The recent improvement can be attributed to a renewed emphasis on defense across the ice, even though there have still been games, like the one against Montreal, where they allowed numerous high-danger opportunities.
Drury is frequently mentioned by voters, and it seems unlikely that owner James Dolan would abruptly abandon his chosen GM. Instead, many predict Drury will continue to adjust the roster, potentially moving a key player.
One commenter even suggested a more drastic change: “Fire Dolan.”
While Mika Zibanejad has begun to improve his play, he hasn’t returned to last year’s form and is unlikely to be traded unless he agrees to it due to his no-move clause. Nevertheless, some of you recognize his decline and are hopeful for a shift.
A commenter asked, “Can you win a Cup with Zibanejad as a top (two) C?” suggesting that most would likely answer no. K’Andre Miller receiving over a quarter of the votes is unexpected given his talent and age, and although he’s had a challenging season, many observers believe he could fetch a significant return if moved.
Ryan Lindgren is expected to be the first on this list likely to be traded, as he is a pending unrestricted free agent. Thus, the 17.88 percent of you who chose Lindgren may see their prediction come true soon.
While there isn’t a complete endorsement of Laviolette, a solid majority do not view coaching as the key issue affecting the Rangers this season. Historically, Laviolette’s teams have faced declines from Year 1 to Year 2, but this year has been particularly notable. If the Rangers continue their upward trajectory and perform well in the playoffs, it may justify the franchise’s belief that Laviolette is not primarily responsible for their struggles.
One commenter said, “Laviolette is NOT the problem in any way,” arguing that last year’s team—which mirrors this year’s—would not have achieved its previous success without him. However, another commenter noted, “I used to think the problem was the roster, but I’m just tired of Lavy as the coach.”
This question elicited a diverse range of opinions, but a solid majority concur that Drury, who created some issues with his aggressive roster changes, is unlikely to successfully navigate this situation.
As one commenter pointed out: “I thought Drury was capable, but now I have my doubts… We need to draft better and bring in players with grit.”
