Why are you so happy to just keep writing that this team is not a playoff team?
I am not happy to write it. I am simply stating my belief. And have listed my reasons in multiple threads and multiple replies.
The goal should always be to win hockey games.
Who said the team is not trying to win every game? Did I miss that?
At the simplest level that’s what the game is about. You seem to just be so happy with this notion that everyone gets a pass because the team is young( so of course they will mistakes) the players are inexperienced so of course we can’t hold the coach accountable for anything.
What in the name of anything remotely relevant are you even talking about? I want the team to loose so that Quinn cannot be held accountable? Seems to me that you are suffering from the Quinn Derangement Syndrome here.
So I’m confused— when do we hold anyone accountable for anything? Am I supposed to wait for another letter from the organization saying “OK fans we feel like the rebuild is now complete?” This mindset of “everyone gets a pass” is exactly what drives me up the wall here. These are NHL players getting paid NHL salaries. They need to be held accountable and so does the coach. Some people on here really just excuse everything but the thing is— there is no magic switch that we can all just turn on and say “now we can hold people accountable.”
Are you really this obtuse? A coach for this Rangers team is judged differently than a coach for say the Boston Bruins. Or even Colorado. Why? Because those teams are either competing for the Cup or are at a minimum expected to make deep runs. A coach of a team that is icing the youngest collection of players in the league is not going to be judged by the same standards. His primary job last year and this year is to develop this assortment of young players, change the culture and ensure that they take steps forward. Do I want the Rangers to make the playoffs? Yeah, would be nice. I root for them to win each and every game. But my standard of success is not Playoffs or Bust. At least not this year. And I assure you, it is also not one that both Gorton and JD are utilizing.
This team is icing a defense that has THREE rookies and one sophomore. Can you name another team that is remotely even close to that? Can you name for me another team in the last decade that did that? How many teams in the last 25 years that have done that? And the fantastic thing is that this assortment of 'yoots is progressing. Of course they are not yet the caliber of a defense that makes deep playoff runs. But they are taking steps to get there. Same goes for the forwards.
The seeming notion that Quinn is to be judged by the same exact standard as a Butch Cassidy for this year is utterly assinine. The fact that this team went 8-4-1 when their most important player was out is like extracting blood from a stone. The team is actually over achieving right now.
For my issues with Quinn, I respect that he almost always holds players accountable. My issue is though, from a players standpoint, when the coach is making obvious coaching mistakes, it’s hard to hear that accountability message.
And do what? Get fired for making a mistake on the PP they other day? Should he be given a time out from being behind the bench?
That’s why you need the best and brightest people at the top making the correct decisions about who to hold accountable and when.
That is why Gorton hired Quinn. I think that we all know that in your definition only winning the Stanley Cup gets that distinction. Thankfully, Gorton and JD view it completely differently than you. And quite realistically.
Yes I want the young guys to develop but I want this team to win at the same time. I don’t look at that as impossible which I think many on this board do.
We spend time on most days posting messages on a friggin' internet message board. We know more about current prospects and upcoming prospects than virtually the entire fanbase. Do you really think that we do not root for the team to win?
No it is not impossible to win AND develop at the same time. The chances are simply against icing a team that will compete for the playoffs when said team is this young and most of the players have miles to go in their development.
The fact that this team has the record that it currently does is a minor miracle.