The Rangers have high expectations for the remainder of the season as they push for the playoffs.
The Rangers have high expectations for the remainder of the season as they push for the playoffs.
Okay, we all agree that the Rangers need fixing; like now. But how?
With that in mind, The Maven is convening a core of hockey authors and other deep-thinkers with ideas; free of charge to Chris Drury, Peter Laviolette and my devoted readers.
First up is historian-author George Grimm, whose works include Guardians Of The Goal and We Did Everything But Win. Take it away, Georgie!
"Start with the premise that Jim Dolan, Chris Drury's boss wants and needs the revenue from the two home games a playoff berth would guarantee. But if Drury's thinking clearly he MAY realize that it's time to move on from some of the veterans and start to retool."
It's fair to say that Peter Laviolette is a goner if the Blueshirts miss the playoffs. A coach can't go from Presidents' Trophy-winning and then miss the postseason and expect to keep his job.
Grimm: "I don't envy Laviolette. His future depends directly on players who have more job security than he does. If he is fired he'll resurface somewhere.
"Both Drury and Laviolette put themselves in their current precarious positions. Our sympathy for each of them should be weighed against their own actions or inactions."
Since the schedule break Drury has done nothing while the media armchair GMs are making deals for him. Meanwhile the trade deadline is fast approaching with no hint of Rangers moves.
"If Drury is a buyer at the deadline, he needs to be realistic and look past this season," adds Grimm. "No more pending free agents. He needs to bring in players who may fit in with next year's team.Guys who may have something to prove like Arthur Kaliyev or Will Borgen."
Make no mistake, Drury's job is not hermetically sealed; not if his team winds up with early golf dates. A playoff team – especially one that somehow gets to the second round – would insure the manager's future.
"Drury's in a tough spot," Grimm concludes. "He can keep his boss (Dolan) happy and make some short-sighted deadline deals. Or, he can look to a future that may not include him."
Then, a pause: "As a fan, I really don't trust him to make the right decisions!"
Maven's Bottom LIne. When last year's theme, STANLEY CUP OR BUST, had to be scrapped, this year's became PLAYOFFS, OR BUST!
My read is that if they do miss; the twin architects will have to be replaced.