In the middle of a rebuild, it’s easy to get angry at anyone and everyone involved, even the players who have no control over the situation. Here’s why it was unfair to chirp Ryan McDonagh, and why it will be unfair to chirp any other returning traded players.
When former New York Rangers captain Ryan Callahan was traded, he left Manhattan on bad terms. The forward was in contract talks with the team, but they were unable to agree on a number.
He was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with some draft picks, in exchange for Martin St. Louis and a second-round draft selection in 2015. The trade was shocking and difficult for fans of both clubs, as St. Louis and Callahan were captains of both teams.
Ryan McDonagh came to Rangers’ fans at the perfect time. His first NHL goal was scored against one of New York’s biggest rivals, the New Jersey Devils, and it was a game-winner that clinched them the final Eastern Conference playoff spot in 2011.
At the end of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final run, he won both the team MVP and Player’s Player awards, the second defenseman in team history to be given both honors (the other was Brian Leetch). It was no surprise that he was named the Rangers’ 27th captain just before the 2014-2015 season began.
In his next few seasons, the blueliner gave everything he had to this team and this city. In his first full season as captain (2014-2015), he was still coming into his own as a player at just 25 years of age.
In his second season as captain (2015-2016), McDonagh ranked fifth on the team in assists with 25. When it came time for his third season leading the Rangers (2016-2017), he was third in assists with 36 and sixth in points with 42.
Though he only played a portion of last season with the Rangers, he did finish fourth in assists with 24. Up until last February, he had only ever played in the NHL with New York, meaning that he established multiple career highs and milestones with the organization.
Upon his departure, he had appeared in 516 career NHL games, all as a Ranger. He recorded 51 goals and 187 assists for a total of 238 career points with the Blueshirts.
On top of all of that, he suffered a myriad of injuries while with New York. Most, if not all, fans of the team during the McDonagh era can recall the terrifying elbow to the head from former Pittsburgh Penguin Matt Cooke.
He also suffered a concussion at the hands of Philadelphia Flyer Wayne Simmonds during the 2016 season. Proof of his dedication was when he played three games in the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals with a broken foot that had to be frozen before every game. The Rangers lost that series to Tampa in seven games and we’ll never know what the impact was of that injury to their top defenseman.
Looking back at everything Ryan McDonagh did for this team, from battling injuries to deep playoff runs to impactful goals, the majority of fans can agree that they have no hard feelings towards him. The New York Rangers are rebuilding, and that process includes losing some familiar faces, as stated in the front office’s letter to the community which was published last February as the trade deadline approached.
However, not all fans were in agreement with this sentiment. This became obvious when McDonagh’s Tampa Bay Lightning visited Madison Square Garden earlier this month.
Some booing of Ryan McDonagh here at MSG as he carries the puck up the ice. Why? Not sure I understand that one at all.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) February 3, 2019
The fact that fans were booing and chirping McDonagh rather than cheering for him, or just staying quiet, makes little to no sense. He gave his all to this team, and he didn’t leave on bad terms like another former captain who left for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This rebuild is frustrating, and it was expected to be from the very beginning. However, that isn’t anyone’s fault; it especially isn’t the fault of players whose trades were out of their control.
Ryan McDonagh didn’t ask for a trade, and in the days and weeks leading up to the deadline, nothing changed about his play and his attitude towards the team. The team decided to trade him because they could get a beneficial return for him.
In fact, the Lightning’s return for McDonagh is already paying dividends for New York. Brett Howden, one of the prospects who came back in the deal, has carved out a niche on Broadway and doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
In addition, Vladislav Namestnikov has gotten hot lately, picking up his scoring pace. The draft picks will move the rebuild along, and Libor Hajek could be a big help in the future as well.
The Ryan McDonagh-J.T. Miller trade worked out for both teams involved. Tampa Bay built up their lineup during their window of contention, and the Rangers added assets that will aid their rebuild.
That’s why there was absolutely no need to boo Ryan McDonagh when he returned to The Garden for the second time in February. The Lightning come back to Madison Square Garden later this month. Let’s hope that Ranger fans come to their senses and remember that McDonagh was a huge part of this team and an amazing leader, and should be remembered for all of the great things he did for the organization; not for irrational booing.
So, as this rebuild continues, remember that (unless explicitly stated) none of these trades are the players’ faults. The organization is trying to transform the team and become a Stanley Cup contender in the next few years.
Unfortunately, rebuilds include trades, and they may involve fan favorites and skilled assets like Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes. So, if (when) other big names get traded and leave the Rangers, be a bit more understanding; they’re probably as frustrated by this rebuild as you are.