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New York Rangers: Five things Alain Vingeault must change this season

By Alexandra Russo

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers watches from the bench during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 29, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rangers defeated the Coyotes 6-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers watches from the bench during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 29, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rangers defeated the Coyotes 6-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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New York Rangers
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Claude Julien of the Montreal Canadiens shakes hands with Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers after Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 22, 2017 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Canadiens 3-1 to advnace to Round Two. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

While it’s more common to analyze the players, it’s time to take a moment to analyze the coaching of Alain Vigneault. Here’s the top five things he needs to fix for the New York Rangers this upcoming season.

It’s no secret. The coaching style of Alain Vigneault has been heavily criticized over the past two seasons, namely last year. There was the embarrassingly early exit to the Penguins in 2016 and last season, there was a golden opportunity for an Eastern Conference Final that the New York Rangers blew.

While there are many reasons why teams don’t succeed, it is normal to firstly look at the players. Did they live up to their potential? Did they simply have a bad night?

However, it’s not the job of the players alone to get the job done. The coaches are equally to blame for bad nights and equally to be praised for good nights.

One could argue that the players must execute what the coach tells them to, and if they don’t, then they suffer the consequences. But sometimes, it’s the coach himself that is to blame for the lack of production and not the follow-through of the players.

Here are five things Vigneault needs to fix heading into the new season.

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