That Lafrenière WJC decision was the right one

Some hockey folks were upset that the New York Rangers didn’t send Alexis Lafrenière to the WJC tournament

Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko were both eligible to play at the World Junior Championship in Edmonton this month.  The New York Rangers were very decisive, telling Hockey Canada that Lafrenière was not available and that he would remain in the New York area working out in advance of training camps opening.  There was never really a chance of Kakko playing for FInland, but many Canadians had hopes for Lafrenière, the MVP of the tournament last year.

Supporters pointed to Kirby Dach of the Chicago Blackhawks who is playing for Team Canada and is the team’s captain.  Dach didn’t play last season as he was with the Blackhawks.  In his rookie NHL season he played 64 games scoring eight goals and 23 points after being drafted third overall in the June draft.

With the start of the season delayed, Chicago allowed Dach to play for Team Canada, making the decision at the end of October.   How do you think Chicago GM Stan Bowman feels right now after watching Dach leave the first WJC exhibition game with a hand injury that required x-rays?

It’s too early to tell the severity of the injury, but the way Dach went right to the bench and locker room was ominous.  We should know more soon on his condition.

Imagine if that was Alexis Lafrenière?  Ranger fans would be banging down the doors of the Rangers front office to get at Jeff Gorton for letting their prized rookie risk injury.

The bottom line is these hockey players haven’t played a game since March.  Better for a budding star like Lafrenière to come to New York, get in shape and be able to spend the entire training camp with the team.  If he had gone to Edmonton, he would have missed almost the entire abbreviated preseason.

So, if at the time you thought that the Rangers made a mistake, a tip of the hat to Jeff Gorton and the Rangers’ brain trust for making the right decision for the team and its fans.

Ranger prospects at the WJC

The only exhibition games are over and there are a few notes about New York Rangers prospects.

Team USA won their game against Finland 3-2 on Tuesday. Teams were allowed to expand their lineups and use all players they took to the tournament.  Brett Berard played for USA and his name was called a few times on plays in the Finnish zone.  It’s unclear how much defenseman Hunter Skinner played.

Team Canada beat Russia 1-0 on Wednesday and it was good news and bad for Rangers prospects.  On the good side, Braden Schneider played an active game, joining the rush and getting one excellent scoring opportunity.  His work in the defensive zone was okay for a first game in months. He is wearing #2 and if he continues to play this way, it will become obvious why the Rangers traded up to draft him at #19.  He’s a very big kid.

The bad news is that it appears that Canada will be putting all of their goaltending eggs in the Devon Levi basket.  He played the entire exhibition game for Canada and was named first star of the game.  There had been hope that Ranger prospect goalie Dylan Garand would get a chance to strut his stuff,but when Canada chose to play Levi the entire game, it looks like Garand will be seeing limited action.

Here is the schedule for games involving Rangers prospects.  All games will be televised on the NHL Network:

PRELIMINARY ROUND
Friday, December 25
930 pm: Russia vs. USA

Saturday, December 26
6 pm: Germany vs. Canada
930 pm: USA vs. Austria

 Sunday, December 27
6 pm: Slovakia vs. Canada

Tuesday, December 29
2 pm:  USA vs. Czech Republic
6 pm:  Canada vs. Switzerland

Thursday, December 31
6 pm:  Canada vs. Finland
930 pm: Sweden vs. USA

MEDAL ROUND
Saturday, January 2
12 pm:  Quarterfinal Game 1
330 pm:  Quarterfinal Game 2
7 pm: Quarterfinal Game 3
1030 pm:  Quarterfinal: Game 4

Monday, January 4
6 pm: Semifinal Game 1
930 pm:  Semifinal Game 2

Tuesday, January 5
530 pm: Bronze Medal Game
930 pm:   Gold Medal Game