Analysis: Hopes for another deep playoff run were dashed last weekend. While the Rangers occasionally showed the form that got them to the Eastern Conference Final in the past, inconsistency, injuries, and poor performances at both ends of the ice led to them missing the playoffs.
Key players, including Mika Zibanejad, didn’t meet expectations offensively, and the defense struggled to keep opponents from scoring. Now, there’s growing speculation around Laviolette and Drury’s roles going forward.
TSN insider Pierre LeBrun noted that things have been unusually quiet within Madison Square Garden. He believes Laviolette’s future is uncertain, despite being popular among players, due to several missteps this season.
The Rangers entered the season with high expectations, with many considering them serious Stanley Cup contenders. Their underwhelming performance leaves fans and analysts wondering what went wrong.
What This Means:
There was hope that younger players like Alexis Lafreniere would make significant strides, but after a promising start, his impact faded. Meanwhile, Kaapo Kakko looked revitalized after being traded to Seattle. Other strange roster decisions—like benching recent signee Gabriel Perreault and mishandling veteran Calvin de Haan—suggest internal dysfunction.
Firing Laviolette might be the most straightforward change. On the other hand, Drury is likely to retain his position despite criticism over moves like trading Jacob Trouba and waiving Barclay Goodrow. LeBrun reported that team owner James Dolan appreciated Drury’s active approach at the trade deadline and that the GM plans to be aggressive this summer in reshaping the team.
Major roster changes are expected, and the Rangers may have a very different look by the time the next season begins.