Edge
Kris King's Ghost
I wasn't in the locker room but it really seemed like this team is trying to identify new leadership. The accountability that Quinn is trying to cultivate is a response to the AV era that, good or bad, Nash seemed to personify. He worked hard and was hard on himself, but it ended there. He wasn't challenging other guys, he wasn't getting fired up about bad play. That page turned because this organization wants a new culture.
Look at quotes from the Bruin rookies last year. They were shocked at how hard the most talented guys worked in practice. They expected one of the top lines in the league to put less effort in, it would be the fringe guys fighting for a spot. No, Bergeron, Marchand and Pasternak work the hardest and then use that as leverage to challenge the rest.
Blake Wheeler shocked Laine with his work ethic. He fought a teammate in practice to change the tempo. Argue with the method but you can't argue the results.
Will LA be that guy? He hates losing. Work on how you manifest those frustrations, don't throw your medal for example, but don't change who you are. Can LA be that guy with elder statesman controlling the room? This team must move forward.
I think this team is in a transition period with regards to leadership. I think the next crop of leaders is knocking on the door --- Andersson, Howden, etc. I also think the Rangers are looking at several guys to see if they are capable of filling those roles --- Kreider, Zibanejad, Fast, Hayes, etc.
Ideally, Andersson is the type of personality this team has lacked for a very long time. He'll challenge people, he'll push people and he's a natural leader. We talk about his potential as a player, but I also think they're looking for him to be more than that. I think kids like Howden and Miller have the potential to be guys who emerge as leaders in the locker room. But it's going to take time.
This transition period was needed and it was one of the primary reasons I wasn't keen on bringing back guys we shipped out at the TDL. Frankly, there are a few guys still on the roster who I am not convinced are part of this team's leadership core going forward. So I think more changes are coming.