NY HOCKEY INSIDER | NHL TEAM | NEW YORK RANGERS

Most respectable NHL insider's reveal the biggest red flags surrounding the Rangers organization

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Joshua Deeds
January 6, 2025 (11:42 PM)

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The New York Rangers are in turmoil, as the team has a record of 18-20-1 and is 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Just above the New York Islanders, what could right the ship for the team? Perhaps a true leader like Mark Messier.

What is the next step for the New York Rangers? The team has had dissension in the ranks, and a team once thought contenders, looks like pretenders.

According to NHL Analyst Ray Ferraro, the Rangers are missing an "Alpha" figure in the room. A true leader, and with Jacob Trouba being shipped to Anaheim, it looks like that may be the case.

Without someone to lead the team, give the guys a vision of how they should play on the ice, and close the ranks they're vulnerable to externalities that could eat through the ranks.

And Larry Brooks's column in the New York Post put it plainly.

It was all highlighted in the New York Post's Larry Brooks' column 'Rangers have quit on Peter Laviolette - and it will eventually cost him his job' where one statement really stood out among the rest of this in-depth piece.

«The Rangers have quit on their coach, they have quit on the organization, they have quit on themselves, they have quit on each other, they have quit on the fans who pay top dollar to fill the Garden and they have quit on New York,» Brooks wrote.

Should the Rangers invest in a tough guy? Like Columbus' Matthieu Olivier? Seems like a bad idea, considering the team has Matt Rempe, even though he's suspended.

Could the Rangers weather the storm of this season and begin their rebuild once July hits?

Assuming that I heard ESPN's Emily Kaplan correctly, she indicated that both Drury and Laviolette will retain their positions through the end of the season while a rebuild takes place.

Could retired Ranger Mark Messier's comment about the team's lack of loyalty and trust in the lineup indicate that the former Stanley Cup winner is interested in a job with the team?

Could he be the solution to the Rangers' lack of cohesive vision from the top
down? Though it seems likely, it's not.

Messier's controversial comment about his former club had some outsiders wondering whether Messier might be interested in a front office job.

Never happen. Mess had his chance when Glen Sather was orchestrating Rangers moves as MSG boss Jim Dolan's advisor.

At the time Messier sought a key role with the team. He allegedly was told that he'd have to do basic training in the minors; as in Hartford.

Mark allegedly refused such a bid and that cooled the relationship between Messier and the hockey club to which he brought so much glory.

It looks like GM Chris Drury could slog through the season and get another shot at rebuilding the lineup through free agency, and draft picks.

Maybe this time around, the Rangers could be contenders next March?

Previously on NY Hockey Insider

Elliotte Friedman provides critical update on J.T Miller joining the New York Rangers

New York Rangers legend and 4x Stanley Cup Champion sadly passes away at 89-years old

Former 600-Game Metropolitan Division Veteran Officially Announces His Retirement from the NHL

POLL
JANVIER 6 \| 620 ANSWERS Most respectable NHL insider's reveal the biggest red flags surrounding the Rangers organization Should owner James Dolan of the New York Rangers fire GM Chris Drury?
Yes	506	81.6 %
No	114	18.4 %
List of polls

Most respectable NHL insider's reveal the biggest red flags surrounding the Rangers organization

The New York Rangers are in turmoil, as the team has a record of 18-20-1 and is 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Just above the New York Islanders, what could right the ship for the team? Perhaps a true leader like Mark Messier.

Should owner James Dolan of the New York Rangers fire GM Chris Drury?