New York Rangers: The only explanation for why Dan Girardi is still playing
There’s been a lot of the hoopla surrounding the New York Rangers and Alain Vigneault about their current goalie situation. With everything that’s been said over the past week, it makes you wonder why Girardi’s still in the lineup.
It just makes no damn sense.
Here’s the New York Rangers current situation. They are continuing not to start their franchise goalie of over a decade in Henrik Lundqvist for what was the fourth straight time last night against the Chicago Blackhawks–although that may change Thursday now that the team’s winning streak is over. Coach Alain Vigneault has been talking about how he needs to play the hot hand. He has even said, “while I love Hank, I love the team more.”
As he should. Any coach, no matter what sport or level within that sport should go with the player who is performing the best and should judge all players in the same light, although that comment was necessary. But if that was the case for Vigneault for all players, why wouldn’t he do the same for Dan Girardi?
That’s what nobody can seem to understand. One would think that there is something more to this than meets the eye.
The only explanation that would seem to make even a lick of sense–and that’s being generous– is that Alain Vigneault and the New York Rangers are desperately trying to raise Dan Girardi‘s trade value.
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What other reason would the coach have for constantly playing him on the top defensive pairing with Ryan McDonagh? Maybe Vigneault, the rest of the coaching staff and management rationalize this careless decision by thinking that, by playing McDonagh on the top pair, not only are you showing other teams that you still trust him, but you are also trying to cover up his mistakes.
As for not being called out by Alain Vigneault, why would he want to make it publicly known that his damaged goods are indeed damaged? That’s like when you try to trade one of your running backs to one of the negligent owners in your fantasy league right after you hear the coach talk about how he will be cutting some of his snaps in the near future. Sure, it’s a scummy kind of move, but it’s a business. You have to be all about your team winning at all costs to thrive in it.
Over the past week during this whole fake goalie controversy mess, this thought has been crawling through my head like a toddler through one of those Chuckie Cheese fun houses.
The Rangers know the defense isn’t in the greatest shape and they know that Girardi and his contract can be a detriment to the team down the road, so they must be trying to deal him so they can avoid a buyout which would (A. look really bad to the players in the room since Girardi is one of their leaders and the second-longest tenured player on the roster and (B hurt them cap wise because of the buyout penalty that would ensue.
The pressure to move Girardi’s contract becomes even greater when you factor in the team is probably trying to acquire an above average puck moving defenseman, who they would need to move Girardi’s no movement clause–which a player of his pride level would probably waive in the case of a trade–to protect in the upcoming expansion draft.
Honestly, if this is not the reason that the Rangers are using Girardi in the way that they are using him–and even if it is, really–then their brains are on full out auto pilot.
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Unfortunately, the likelihood of us finding out the real reason is very small. But until then, Dan Girardi will be a regular in the New York Rangers lineup.