Rangers have lost 6 out of their last 7 games. What would you do if you were Dolan (the owner of the team) or Drury (the GM)?

Stephen

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If I were Dolan, I'd open up the liquor cabinet, find some stationery to pen a heartfelt letter to the fans and probably start firing guys over the phone.
 

Devils Trap

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There is something just wrong with the veterans on NYR and idk if its Lavi or Dolan or Drury who refuse to have them be disciplined or held accountable.

Cuylle and Berard brought their team back in this game. Down 3-0 they score 2 goals quick on great shifts to make it a 3-2 game. Yet, with the goalie pulled they go with Tro, Kreider, Mika - the typically crew who literally dont muster up a single high danger chance.
 

Tawnos

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There is something just wrong with the veterans on NYR and idk if its Lavi or Dolan or Drury who refuse to have them be disciplined or held accountable.

Cuylle and Berard brought their team back in this game. Down 3-0 they score 2 goals quick on great shifts to make it a 3-2 game. Yet, with the goalie pulled they go with Tro, Kreider, Mika - the typically crew who literally dont muster up a single high danger chance.

I was just complaining about the same thing elsewhere. Trocheck I get at least a little bit because he can win faceoffs. But Laviolette not rewarding Cuylle and/or Berard with the premium ice time there is why, at this point, he hasn’t just lost the vet core but also the young core.
 

Devils Trap

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I was just complaining about the same thing elsewhere. Trocheck I get at least a little bit because he can win faceoffs. But Laviolette not rewarding Cuylle and/or Berard with the premium ice time there is why, at this point, he hasn’t just lost the vet core but also the young core.
Look I pray on the Rangers downfall but it just seems idiotic to not give those kids more icetime.

They are hungry, hard on the puck and get stuff done. But its never rewarded
 

Murzu

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Which key core (heart of their club player, on a contract, did Vegas treat like the Rangers did to Trouba?

Fleury (found out from Twitter that he was traded) and Marchessault (team "legend", wasn't signed because of one year difference in ask/offer) situations come to mind. They also traded well liked and well performing Nate Schmidt. Some other deals that don't scream loyalty. Vegas does these things in order to make themselves better and at least Eichel doesn't mind that approach and Marchessault seemed to understand that it's a business.

Why wouldn't Rangers players understand that? Trouba trade was ruthless, there are examples of ruthlessness that seem to work just fine.
 

Fatass

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Fleury (found out from Twitter that he was traded) and Marchessault (team "legend", wasn't signed because of one year difference in ask/offer) situations come to mind. They also traded well liked and well performing Nate Schmidt. Some other deals that don't scream loyalty. Vegas does these things in order to make themselves better and at least Eichel doesn't mind that approach and Marchessault seemed to understand that it's a business.

Why wouldn't Rangers players understand that? Trouba trade was ruthless, there are examples of ruthlessness that seem to work just fine.
UFAs though. Just not re-signed. Not like Trouba who had two years left. Trouba was the Rangers heart and captain. He had two years left on his contract. Marchy was a UFA Vegas chose not to keep. Huge difference in the minds of the players.
 

Weltschmerz

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Apr 22, 2007
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You’ve got it backwards here. The Rangers didn’t “come up with an offer worth sharing the medical files” because the owner had already put his finger on the scales.

I’m not going to try to understand Pegula’s motivations.
So your theory is:

Pegula hates the rangers and tell them he is not taking any offers for Eichel?

Then why did the rangers still came up with that bad offer? That story makes no sense at all, is it so hard to believe that Drury is just an idiot?
Seems most rangers fans are already coming around on that.
 

Murzu

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UFAs though. Just not re-signed. Not like Trouba who had two years left. Trouba was the Rangers heart and captain. He had two years left on his contract. Marchy was a UFA Vegas chose not to keep. Huge difference in the minds of the players.

Fleury though? The guy had just won Vezina.

You picked the only option that was UFA. And that UFA situation brought Vegas's "loyalty" to players to the surface again.
 
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Tawnos

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So your theory is:

Pegula hates the rangers and tell them he is not taking any offers for Eichel?

Then why did the rangers still came up with that bad offer? That story makes no sense at all, is it so hard to believe that Drury is just an idiot?
Seems most rangers fans are already coming around on that.

It’s not my theory. It’s a story confirmed by journalists.

Interesting . So it looks like Laf and Kakko were off the table after all.

Reading between the lines just a little bit on that one, I don’t think that negotiations ever got to the point where one of them might have ended up in an offer because of Pegula poisoning the well.
 

Fatass

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Fleury though? The guy had just won Vezina.

You picked the only option that was UFA. And that UFA situation brought Vegas's "loyalty" to players to the surface again.
Is MAF really a heart and soul guy? Not really, imo. He too is a non comparable to Trouba. Ranger management ripped the heart out of their club. Stupid move, imo.
 

mphmiles

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Jan 1, 2017
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I’d be curious what those stats say if you removed the first 6 games of the season.
29th out of 32 in xGF% since Oct. 22nd.

Combine that with an average power play instead of a dominant one compared to last year and that's the vast majority of the drop off.
 
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DelZottoHitTheNetJK

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Mar 10, 2011
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This is honestly the best thing that could've happened to the NYR.

They needed to retool on the fly anyway. Kreider, Zibanejad and co. weren't ever gonna get it done. Perfect scenario of those guys being past their prime while the young guys they drafted took far too long to become anything resembling an impact player.

Trade Kreider at the deadline for a haul, trade your 1st this year (probably will be top 10) for an NHL ready prospect that's blocked on the depth chart.
 

Nogatco Rd

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Reading between the lines just a little bit on that one, I don’t think that negotiations ever got to the point where one of them might have ended up in an offer because of Pegula poisoning the well.
The Sabres pushed for either Alexis Lafrenière or Kaapo Kakko to be included, which we reported back in July, but Drury held firm.

They asked for them and Drury declined, seems like you would have to do more than read between the lines to fault Pegula for that
 

jkrdevil

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The Sabres pushed for either Alexis Lafrenière or Kaapo Kakko to be included, which we reported back in July, but Drury held firm.

They asked for them and Drury declined, seems like you would have to do more than read between the lines to fault Pegula for that
Both can be true. It can very will be the case the Pegulas weren’t ever going to trade Eichel to the Rangers (for obvious reasons) so they demanded a price from them that they knew the Rangers wouldn’t have paid (which at the time would have been a crazy price).
 

Maliks PlusMinus

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Who do you think is/are the leader(s) in that locker room?
Kreider has always been popular in the locker room, looking after younger players, foreigners and stepping up more than most in the playoffs. He wears an A and is somewhat representative of NYR.
Buuuuut Drury said he was looking into trading him. At the moment there are no leaders who are inclined to turn things around.
Young guys are going to have to take the lead until this mess is resolved one way or another.
 
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Tawnos

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The Sabres pushed for either Alexis Lafrenière or Kaapo Kakko to be included, which we reported back in July, but Drury held firm.

They asked for them and Drury declined, seems like you would have to do more than read between the lines to fault Pegula for that

No, I read that part. Typical negotiations progress though and something that wasn’t on the table in July might have been in September. But if you know that you’re going to have to pay significantly more that other teams, it puts a damper on any potential progress to be had.
 

Whoot Whoot

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Chat gpt analysis:

Why have the New York Rangers been playing so poor for the last 15 games? Please provide a detailed analysis Also, has it anything to do with the drone sightings in the greater Tri-state area?


The New York Rangers' recent struggles over the last 15 games can likely be attributed to several key factors, both on the ice and off it, though there is no direct evidence linking drone sightings in the greater Tri-State area to the team's performance. Let’s break it down into two parts: hockey-related issues and the speculative influence of external factors.

1. Hockey-Related Issues

There are multiple potential reasons why the Rangers have underperformed over the past 15 games:

a. Inconsistent Goaltending

Goaltending has been a major issue for the Rangers this season. Igor Shesterkin, who has been one of the league’s elite goaltenders in recent years, has not been playing up to his usual standards. His save percentage has dropped, and some uncharacteristic goals have slipped past him. Goaltending inconsistency can undermine a team's overall defensive structure, leading to increased pressure on forwards and defensemen.

b. Offensive Struggles

While the Rangers have a potent offensive lineup, their scoring has been hit or miss. There has been a lack of offensive depth, particularly when the top line (featuring players like Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider) has struggled to produce at the level they’re capable of. Some of the younger players, like Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafrenière, have shown flashes of potential but haven’t been able to provide the consistent secondary scoring the team needs.

c. Power Play Woes

The Rangers’ power play has been underperforming. Special teams play is crucial to a team’s success, and when the power play isn’t clicking, it puts added pressure on 5-on-5 play. A lack of movement, poor puck retrieval, and not taking advantage of power play opportunities have hurt the Rangers' ability to score when they have the man advantage.

d. Defensive Issues

While the Rangers have an elite defense corps, inconsistencies have crept into their play. Defenders have struggled with turnovers, which have led to odd-man rushes and scoring chances for the opposition. The team's defensive zone coverage and communication have also been inconsistent, contributing to a drop in overall defensive reliability.

e. Lack of Team Chemistry

New York has a roster with multiple new faces, including players like Blake Wheeler and Tyler Motte, and the chemistry between different lines may still be developing. The Rangers have tried to balance their offensive depth, but line combinations haven't been as effective as expected. Sometimes, it takes a little longer for these things to click, especially when you're dealing with a new system or changing personnel.

f. Coaching and System Adjustments

Head coach Peter Laviolette has brought a new system to the Rangers, which has been a work in progress. When a team is adapting to a new coach’s style, it often takes time for players to buy in completely. The Rangers' issues with consistency on both ends of the ice could be attributed to growing pains as they adjust to Laviolette's structure. They might still be figuring out how to balance a more defensive-minded system with the offensive potential they possess.


2. Speculative Influence of Drone Sightings

Regarding the drone sightings in the greater Tri-State area, there is no evidence to suggest a direct correlation between these sightings and the Rangers’ on-ice performance. While drone activity in the area could be a point of concern for law enforcement and local businesses, it’s unlikely to have any tangible effect on an NHL team’s play. Professional athletes typically train, travel, and play in highly controlled environments that are insulated from most external distractions, especially ones that are not directly related to the sport itself.

However, it's possible that, like any external stressor, if the players have been distracted by media reports, public concern, or potential security risks, it might impact their focus and mental state. But this is speculative at best and not a common cause for a team's performance issues. The Rangers’ struggles are much more likely tied to internal team factors, like coaching adjustments, injuries, and inconsistent play rather than external events like drone sightings.


Conclusion

The Rangers' poor play over the last 15 games seems to be primarily linked to internal factors: inconsistent goaltending, lack of offensive depth, special teams issues, and possible growing pains with a new coaching system. While drone sightings may be a local concern, there's no evidence to suggest they’ve directly impacted the team’s performance on the ice. The Rangers will likely need to improve in several areas, including goaltending, power play execution, and overall consistency, if they want to turn things around.
 
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