It's just frustrating to, after two previous top-10 picks walked away, now have two kids picked top-2 who were the consensus selections there, struggle as well.
I'm not expecting them to be McDavid-level. I just want them to be more than Nail Yakupov/Nolan Patrick level. Is that too much to ask? And I don't buy the "But we weren't a bottom team, we have better players" argument.
1. Laine, Svechnikov and Heiskanen were in the same position. A higher ranked team winning the lottery, and they didn't miss a beat
2. You can't really bring up the depth as something holding this team back when we have guys like Blackwell, Blais and Goodrow in the top-6 during their tenure.
Something is fundamentally wrong in this org and I just want them to fix whatever is causing this. It's not as if Kakko and Lafrenière didn't have any groundbreaking skill pre-draft. They just seem like different players, while others like Lundell, Raymond, Stützle, Zegras, Höglander, Cozens etc are playing (or are allowed to play) their own game. Whatever it is, it needs to be fixed.
I honestly dont know what the hell it is. What could this organization be doing differently than others?
I mean they have the best facilities, all of the players rave about how great they are taken care of by the team. Many FA come here and cite that. So it cant be anything about not being put in a good environment to be developed...right?
Both Laf and Kakko were given plenty of playing time. Sure, not a lot on special teams, but would that have made a big difference? Kakko is playing top 6, and Laf was given top 3 time for the entire start to the season.
What could be pointed to with the Rangers that would lead to such a thing? The way management and coaching communicates with them? They've changed their coach and they have actively regressed in output - so it cant be that...
Unfair or misinterpreted expectations? All the Rangers brass and MSG media have preached patience with a purpose, like it's a mandate with these two and all of the other youngens. Yet, as you have mentioned, 2 other top first rounders have left the team and the Rangers management of them doesnt pass the smell test.
So maybe there is something to that, but what exactly? The players play the game on the ice. There are always outside factors to deal with, all young players have to contend with. In the end - they've been given the opportunity to shine.
It's just really odd, watching these two players and what they looked like before they were drafted and now. Its like their confidence has been completely drained and they have lost the instincts for the game.
Recently, it's really hit me watching Höglander and the effect he's had on the Canucks. His poise with the puck, his speed, just playing the game loosely and with a smile and then comparing that to how Kakko and Laf are like zombies in their attack styles, at times. Laf moreso than Kakko. But you can literally SEE them thinking instead of just
playing out there.
I feel like we need Short Round to burn them with a lit torch to release them from whatever spell they are under.
It's confusing, bewildering and f***ing weird to me what is going on with these two - and I wish we had an answer and could attribute it to something the team is doing. Because that would mean it could be resolved. But im not sure anyone knows what the hell it is.
At times you watch these two players and they are literally different hockey players than the studs they drafted. I mean lets remind ourselves of who these players were D-1. When the Rangers won Laf I was beside myself. History changing. Life changing as a fan.
If anyone has read my posts, ive been patient and will continue to be, because as a fan (especially a Rangers fan) its all about hope. And I know that the special unique player the Rangers drafted #1 and #2 respectively is still in there, somewhere.
But are those players fading away or are they just taking longer to develop at the NHL level?
This has become a f***ing sad, disenchanting mess
