The Rangers Lack Accountability and That Falls on The Head Coach

It’s a Tuesday in March, and if you had asked me at the start of the year, I wouldn’t have expected to be writing this blog. Tonight, the Rangers face off against the Winnipeg Jets, sitting just two points out of a wildcard spot but with one extra game played. Bill did a great job breaking down the Rangers’ struggles at 5-on-5 and on the power play, but yesterday, I came across a video that really pissed me off.

God I wish we had a coach like that – oh wait, that’s the same guy.

I had a ten-minute conversation with Fever Boy Rex yesterday, and it gave me a chance to vent some frustrations—most of which are aimed at head coach Peter Laviolette.

Look, I get that this is on the players. The Rangers play as if they’re just waiting for things to be handed to them. I don’t know what changed between the end of last year’s playoffs and now, but this team does not have that dog in them. They’re spoiled, entitled little brats who cower at the sight of adversity. They don’t force opponents into mistakes, they’ve never been described as relentless, and when things don’t go their way, they fold like a lawn chair.

That said, I think it’s time to move on from Laviolette.

Game after game, if you turn on MSG, only two lines are competing at 5-on-5—and neither has a player making over $5 million a year. Say what you want about Rempe, but that kid gets it. He plays a simple but effective game, just like his linemates. They get the puck deep, finish their checks, force the opposition to skate 200 feet, or create turnovers, cycling high to low and crashing the net.

So why hasn’t Alexis Lafrenière been scratched? Since signing his contract, #13 has done almost nothing. Earlier this season, Chris Kreider was scratched—what, for a game or two? When Mika Zibanejad was struggling, did his minutes get cut? When Ryan Lindgren forgot how to handle a puck, was he held accountable? Nope. Instead, Lafrenière continues getting second-line minutes alongside one of the best players in the world. Zibanejad still sits in the one-timer spot on the power play, despite missing the net on 99% of his shots. Lindgren kept getting over 20 minutes a night next to Adam Fox, even as his game slipped.

Effort and execution have been nowhere to be found, yet Laviolette keeps rolling out the same guys, in the same roles—without a single consequence. Don’t want to back check? Eh, don’t worry about it – you’re up next. Turn the puck over at the blue line? It’s all good. Pass up a grade A opportunity for a shot on net? Whatever, you’ll get them next time. These things cannot be forgotten or tossed aside. These plays are what separate cup contenders from just another hockey team and for some reason it is not being policed, nor a main objective.

Why hasn’t Berard or Othmann been given an opportunity to play with Panarin? Why hasn’t Rempe? A majority of you reading this think I’m an idiot for saying this but why not, it can’t get any worse can it? It’d be nice to see someone play with our top guys who don’t wait for things to come to them. I’m sorry if I want to see someone forecheck instead of watching Lafreniere turn the puck over countless times all while knowing he’ll never miss a shift. They don’t drive the bus, they’re all a bunch of passengers.

What happened to the Laviolette who threatened ice time? Is he worried feelings will be hurt? Can someone tell him that we don’t care. Can someone tell him, as fans, we expect to watch a team to who will do whatever it takes to win? A team that will win every loose puck? A team that will compete as if they’re playing in their last game? Torterellas Black and Blue Rangers would send this Rangers team away in tears.

I’m so sick and tired of watching these Rangers think they’re too cool to make the right play. That pass from K’Andre Miller to JT in overtime was a prime example. You CAN’T be that casual when making that pass and did anything happen? Nope, K’Andre was back in the next game.

Someone needs to remind this team that they have never won a god damn thing – that things won’t be handed to them and that if you don’t perform the way you should then you won’t play. This team needs a new voice and Peter Laviolette is not it.