Vincent Trocheck issues a stunning message to the New York Rangers as they lose two key players to injuries
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Vincent Trocheck issues a shocking message to the New York Rangers as he believes they must unite with Adam Fox out and Igor Shesterkin out long-term with injuries.
The Rangers are suddenly missing their two biggest safety nets. Igor Shesterkin is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and Adam Fox is on LTIR with a lower-body issue.
That double hit is why Trocheck's message landed so hard in the room. He basically told everyone they cannot replace Fox or Shesterkin, so the group has to lift together.
Trocheck is the right guy to deliver it because he actually plays the «dirty minutes» role. The 32-year-old has 25 points this season, and he's signed long term at a $5.625 million cap hit.
Vincent Trocheck rallies New York Rangers
The blunt honesty from Trocheck speaks volumes because nobody is fooled by the replacement talk.
What Trocheck is really saying is that easy hockey has to disappear. If Fox isn't running the first pass and Shesterkin isn't erasing mistakes, then the five-man unit has to protect the middle and live with boring clears.
"We can't really fill Foxy's shoes, can't really fill Shesty's shoes, so it's going to have to be all of us coming together to boost the team, 20 guys as one"
Vincent Trocheck on the Rangers playing without Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox:
Vincent Trocheck on the Rangers playing without Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox:
Tactically, it means fewer risky east-west plays at your blue line and fewer fly-bys in the slot. It also means the weak-side winger has to be earlier on support, because Quick cannot see through three Rangers screens.
The timing is brutal, but it is not hopeless. The team believes they avoided the most severe outcome with Shesterkin, and that gives the group a reason to stay steady.
Help is also coming in a different way if the captain returns. Mike Sullivan sounded optimistic that J.T. Miller will be available Thursday against Buffalo, and that's the kind of emotional boost Trocheck is asking for.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 7 | 127 ANSWERS Vincent Trocheck issues a stunning message to the New York Rangers as they lose two key players to injuries Do you think the New York Rangers will listen to Vincent Trocheck's message? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 48.8 % |
| No | 59 | 46.5 % |
| Unsure | 6 | 4.7 % |
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