Im generally indifferent about Laviolette, but I don't like the hire if true.
It's a safe move because he's reached the finals 3 times with different teams and has won a Cup. And that has a lot to do with it. And hes got little to no baggage that comes with it.
But its the same retread we see from this club over and over. Not willing to take a risk and get someone in who's younger and more progressive and in tune with the future of the game, the younger players, systems.
Not that Laviolette cant coach. But I really worry about the youngsters. Kakko and Laf especially. Ill reserve judgement until I see how things unfold but this hire isnt going to make a difference for them. They'll be right where they always are getting less minutes and opportunity.
Why? Because Laviolette wants another Cup. Drury wants a Cup. Dolan wants a Cup. Sather wants another one. Of course thats always the goal. And they have the skill and personnel to do it. But they NEED a Cup and are trying to force the issue instead of just letting it happen organically. A Cup could very well come 5 or 6 years from now. You could have said that 3 years ago.
But the impatience this club continues to show with their decision making makes it so obvious they just want to catch lightning in a bottle for a season instead of really building a formidable roster that will be a threat to win it for an extended time period. It is what it is. Nothing will change.
And dont be surprised if the Rangers struggle out of the gate the rumor mill wont start churning once Quenneville gets reinstated
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