Peter Laviolette shakes up the New York Ranger's defensive pairings in a fast-paced, system implementing first practice.
Tarrytown, New York- Two things are evident in these practices: they have a purpose to everything and they move quickly.
To add, the line combinations were exactly the right cocktail for the massive metropolis market. They were not what was to be expected.
In fact, the Rangers saw a practice that featured different defensive pairings for the first time in two seasons.
Jacob Trouba lined up with Ryan Lindgren for a bruising tandem, and Adam Fox skated with blossoming defenseman K’Andre Miller. The bottom pairing saw repetitions of Braden Schneider and Erik Gustafsson, and Zac Jones played alongside Ben Harpur.
The captain spoke to the changes following the first group’s drills, “ Sometimes it’s good to change things up and to be aware of the other guys, you kinda get stuck in habits when you play with someone for so long.”
The Ranger's high-paced practice involved an early start to implement a new system to go along with an uptick in tempo.
Trouba alluded to the Ranger's need for those last season, “ I think that attitude he brings energy, enthusiasm. I think there's a little direction that’s been really good for us… He’s given us the tools that we need to be successful this year.” He continued, “First practice we’re already going over the offensive zone ideas and we’ve already gone through systems”
Jacob Trouba enters his second season with the "C" stitched to his jersey and could look to a new pairing based on in-game situations.
The criticism of Gallant was adjustments, and Peter Laviolette is already getting looks on how to take advantage of in-game situations, "There are times where you go your top guys in the offensive zone and you want to put out two guys for a little more offense. Conversely, you might be in the defensive zone and you might want a couple of guys that think a little more about defense."
He finished by stating, "I wouldn't put anything down on pen."
For the core of the Rangers defense, today was a step in a positive direction. New pairings, fast pace, and purpose in their play.
For Peter Laviolette, it's all about looks and a feel. Nothing concrete in combinations, but an acute attention to a new high-octane system.
He's set a precedent, a pace, and is leading a pack of hungry wolves out of the gate,
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