The Rangers are an unwatchable product. With their 5th straight loss, another 1st period where they just didn’t show up, and unable to wake up until the 3rd period, the Rangers are finding new rock bottoms daily. They are not a serious hockey team right now. It’s ironic, it was more fun to watch and digest when they were rebuilding and designed to lose than it is now with an aging core that has plateaued.
It’s more of the same problems as it’s been on this 5 game skid. The top 6 can’t play hockey at all, the defense can’t play defense, and the only player who’s worth watching right now is Will Cuylle.
It’s painfully obvious there is a leadership void. All Rangers with letters aren’t bringing their B-game, let alone their A-game, and are just waiting for someone else to fix the problems. But the leadership group is supposed to be able to pick the team up when they hit spirals like this. These guys are just going through the motions and look as disinterested in playing hockey as I think I’ve ever seen a team that’s supposed to be competing for a Stanley Cup.
Despite still being in a playoff spot, it’s inexcusable for the team to look this bad. If they don’t start winning soon, they would be better off selling for the deadline. It’s clear the Rangers are a middle of the pack product, and there is nowhere worse in the world of sports to be than in the middle.
Trying to focus on a positive, and as embarrassing the optics are that a 2nd year player with no powerplay time to be second in scoring on the team, Will Cuylle has it. His shooting percentage will regress, but Cuylle is doing all of the things right to put himself in positions to score. Whether it be a bounce that goes his way, or proper positioning to get deflections, rebounds, and net front passes, Cuylle has been a revelation. At least Lias Andersson provided some value.
If the Rangers lose to Montreal on home ice, I don’t see how this team can stay intact. We already know the names that are out there publicly, so we can only imagine what isn’t public right now. Hopefully it doesn’t mortgage the future. The Rangers need their Karl Anthony Towns like trade to shake up the entire core.
