New York Rangers: Five players who could benefit from a coaching change
Marc Staal
The decision to put Marc Staal on this list seems counterintuitive. However, at this point in his career, there are several ways that a coaching change could benefit the aging defenseman.
Alain Vigneault’s blind trust in the Rangers defensive alternate captain has gotten out of hand. Despite a roster that boasts an upper echelon top-four, Marc Staal finds himself playing crucial minutes.
After starting the season on the final defense pairing, Marc Staal has graduated to seeing first and second pairing assignments. In fact, his time on the first-pairing displaced newcomer Kevin Shattenkirk and put captain Ryan McDonagh on his off-side.
In order for Staal to experience any success moving forward, his minutes must be sheltered. Any reasonable head coach would be able to diagnose the root of Staal’s issues.
As a veteran with ample experience against the other team’s top competition and in the playoffs, he remains valuable. A coaching change may give the Marc Staal and the Rangers a hidden weapon down the stretch.
Anthony DeAngelo
In the case of Anthony DeAngelo, the Rangers have a defensive weapon unlike any other on the roster. The NHL has progressively become a league focused on skill and possession, and DeAngelo grades high in both.
Alain Vigneault’s deployment of the young defenseman is not the root of the issue here. When DeAngelo is in the lineup, he has seen nearly all of his ice-time in the offensive zone. However, his ability to stay on the ice has been a different story.
As advertised, DeAngelo has had his fair share of defensive miscues in the name of offensive creativity. In a very familiar manner for young players, Vigneault has banished the 21-year old to the press-box. In his place, the team has dressed both Nick Holden and Steven Kampfer.
While it seems as though Vigneault may have a grasp on DeAngelo’s strengths, he still opts to focus on his shortcomings. In order for Anthony DeAngelo to find his footing at the NHL level, he must be in the lineup on a nightly basis.
With Vigneault’s track record of refusing to trust young players, there is little evidence to believe he will be the coach to accept DeAngelo for the player he is.
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a player whose on-ice play is only indirectly affected by his head coach. The responsibility to prepare and perform is still on Lundqvist. However, Alain Vigneault’s decisions over the last few seasons have been an obvious detriment to the franchise goaltender.
Last season, Lundqvist and the Rangers were plagued by late-game defensive deployments. Not so coincidentally, the 35-year old Swede turned in one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. This season, Vigneault’s defensive decisions are already putting the goaltender and his team at a disadvantage.
In order for Henrik Lundqvist to return to his all-world capabilities, he will need a head coach that has his back. Perhaps most importantly, a head coaching change could allow Lundqvist’s championship window to remain open just long enough.
As long as Alain Vigneault remains the man in charge, Lundqvist will be unable to rest easy. Much like the next player on this list, there is only so much he can do to keep his team afloat.
Ryan McDonagh
The captain of the New York Rangers cannot seem to escape an anchor. Ryan McDonagh, a should-be perennial Norris, has been tethered to an inferior defensive partner for seasons now.
Heading into this year, McDonagh’s chances at a breakout season seemed high. The arrival of
Kevin Shattenkirk was supposed to be the start of a new era for the New York Rangers defense. Unfortunately, Alain Vigneault felt differently about what the future of his defensive group looked like.
After just two games, Vigneault removed Shattenkirk as McDonagh’s partner. In his place, the Rangers head coach has tried his luck with Nick Holden and Marc Staal at the captain’s side. Once again McDonagh finds himself playing alongside partners who barely belong in the Rangers lineup.
A coaching change may be the only thing standing in the way of McDonagh and finally reaching his potential. Much like Henrik Lundqvist, to continue this trend of wasting elite talent would be demoralizing. The Rangers captain’s window of contention is wide open, but who knows for how long?
Kevin Hayes
The most obvious selection for this list is Kevin Hayes. The fourth-year center has had an up-and-down start to his New York Rangers career. Many of those peaks and valleys are due to his coach’s inability to properly utilize him.
Through the first two seasons of his career, Hayes averaged over 60% of his deployment in the offensive zone. In the more recent seasons, Alain Vigneault has chosen to place the offensive-minded center in a primarily defensive role. In fact, this season Hayes has spent a significantly more amount of time on the penalty kill than the power play.
The deployments that have been handed to Hayes have not only hurt the player, but also the team. By handing Hayes tough defensive assignments, the center’s creative tendencies have been stifled. If the current deployment continues, he could be in for a disappointing 2017-18 season.
Next: New York Rangers: How long a leash does Alain Vigneault deserve?
Considering Vigneault’s history of mishandling young talent, these concerning trends are unlikely to change. The harsh reality is that a coaching change may be all that’s left in order for Hayes to succeed. His offensive acumen is outstanding and is being wasted in his current role.