New York Rangers: Five players who can’t blame Alain Vigneault
Alain Vigneault has received his fair share of criticisms for his questionable decisions, but not every New York Ranger performed poorly because of him.
The New York Rangers have started this season in the dumpster. Despite defensive improvements the team is struggling with a slew of major issues. Perhaps one of the most clear, is Alain Vigneault. Vigneault has coached the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Final, as well as an Eastern Conferance Final. But, Vigneault has a fair share of issues. It is often cited that Vigneault negatively affects his players in ways of personnel usage.
Some players, however, do not really have a chance to blame the often stubborn head coach for their issues.
Marc Staal
One of the most controversial players on the roster is aging defenseman Marc Staal. Taking an extreme step back from the days in which he ranked 16th in Norris voting. Staal exhibits many symptoms of a breaking down defenseman. One of the most notable issues Staal has is that his game has slowed down to an almost indefensible level. Staal demonstrates some occasional glimpses of offensive drive, as he rushes the puck up ice every game or so.
It can be argued that Staal and his lackluster performance is a result of Alain Vigneault using him improperly. This argument can be dispelled by using HERO charts, comparing Staal to a second pair defenseman archetype. Many of the factors are similar, if not a tad lower. Staal is a borderline second pair defenseman and is deployed as such most of the time.
Marc Staal certainly needs to turn things around rather fast.
Nick Holden
Certainly an accomplice to the crime that is the New York Rangers flawed defense, Nick Holden is not too far from Marc Staal in terms of skill. Unfortunately, Nick Holden was never quite as talented as Staal in his prime. Issues with his defensive game are the primary concern for Holden.
Holden primarily is not a defensive masterpiece. His main talents come on the offensive side of the game. Unfortunately, Holden does not excel offensively for the Rangers, and has been more detrimental than beneficial.
Alain Vigneault can be absolved from any negative connotation surrounding Nick Holden. Holden has created much of his own issues. One of the most blatant issues presented by Holden is his lack of shot suppression. With his Corsi For sitting at 45, that is fairly bad among the league standard. Slightly better than a third pair defenseman, Holden really is not a great defensive player and his HERO chart shows.
Rick Nash
Rick Nash has been followed by an aura of discontent for much of his time in Manhattan. Nash has had a pretty extensive injury history. Since 2013 the listing of “Day-to-day” or on Injured reserve has been connected with Nash nine different times.
Nash’s biggest criticism lies in his lackluster production for the Rangers. Despite putting up 200+ points in 326 games with a +67 rating, Nash has only scored more than 40 points twice in New York. His role as a first line winger demands that he puts up far more than that.
Alain Vigneault has given Rick Nash fairly good opportunities to perform. Treatment of Nash has been better than players such as Pavel Buchnevich or Jimmy Vesey, as Nash has rarely moved from the top line.
It certainly might not be fair to say that Nash hasn’t succeeded but he certainly has to prove to the Rangers his value this season.
Chris Kreider
With a career high in goals and tying his career high in assists last season, Chris Kreider made a huge impact on the Rangers season. Unfortunately, Kreider fits the build of a strong first line winger, and his numbers are on the lower end of expectation.
Kreider can be an absolute force to reckoned with, going on absolute scoring tears with his unmatched size, speed, and skill. Few players are as dangerous from the left wing as Kreider.
Despite Kreider and his talents, one of the most outstanding issues with the young American power forward is that he goes through several major scoring droughts a season and this cuts down his numbers severely.
Coach Vigneault has a fairly clean slate when it comes to Kreider. He gets acceptable ice time per game for a player in his role, as well as having quite capable linemates.
While at times Kreider can dazzle and demonstrate to the league his abilities, his clear slumps need to come to an end for the benefit of the team.
Anthony Deangelo
The young New Jersey native Anthony Deangelo is what nearly everyone in the NHL would call an “Offensive first” defenseman. Focused on speed and skilled skating, Deangelo has all the skills of someone who can lead the rush and drive the puck down ice.
However, Anthony Deangelo is not as much of a puck possession machine as his 55 Corsi for% shows. Corsi for% shows the amount of all shots for a players team while they are on the ice vs all shots for the other team while the player is on the ice. A Corsi of 55% means that Deangelo and teammates allowed 66 shots versus generating 82.
Although Deangelo and his Corsi may seem excellent, it is extremely misleading. Deangelo, as previously mentioned, is a purely offensive defenseman. His shot suppression is nearly nonexistent, as shown by the HERO charts mentioned frequently.
Vigneault is not at fault for Deangelo and his somewhat underwhelming performance. Deangelo and his play style were merely exposed by a league that is growing faster and stronger. More reliant on shot generation.
Next: Five players Alain Vigneault helped push out of town
Now, Deangelo is in Hartford, and that is certainly less on Alain Vigneault as is much of the current situation. Vigneault, although certainly to blame for some of this seasons upsets, can not be held accountable for all of it.