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Should the New York Rangers shoot for the playoffs?

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals as Matt Hendricks #26 of the Washington Capitals slides to the ice after Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2012 in New York City. The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals in overtime 2-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals as Matt Hendricks #26 of the Washington Capitals slides to the ice after Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2012 in New York City. The New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals in overtime 2-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Daniel Briere #48 of the Buffalo Sabres shake hands with the New York Rangers after elimintating them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Daniel Briere #48 of the Buffalo Sabres shake hands with the New York Rangers after elimintating them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The pit of despair

It may seem fallacy that a professional hockey team would allow itself to become comfortable with losing, but it is not. To see the perils of an established culture where losing is okay, look no further than the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have not made the post season in nine years, finished no higher than sixth place in the last seven seasons and were very comfortable with a 30th place finish to potentially draft Connor McDavid in 2014-15. That they have exemplified a losing culture is an understatement.

Upon leaving Buffalo, Ryan O’ Reilly did not hold back expressing the disappointment he felt as part of the Sabres. Specifically he noted that they were “stuck in this mindset of just being OK with losing”. The season following his escape from western New York, O’Reilly would win the Stanley Cup with the St.Louis Blues. He would also win the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward, the Conn Smythe as the Stanley Cup Playoff MVP and post a career high in points (77) and plus/minus rating (+22).

Robin Lehner has been another outspoken player formerly of the Buffalo Sabres. While with the New York Islanders, Lehner discussed how the Sabres had a “cloud and atmosphere of negativity”. The season following his departure from the Sabres, Lehner would win the Masterson’s Trophy as the player who most exemplifies perseverance and he would share the Jennings trophy with Thomas Greiss, as the Islanders gave up the fewest goals in 2018-19. That season Lehner would also receive a Vezina Trophy nomination, as the league’s best goaltender, while recording career highs in wins (25), save percentage (.930%) and shutouts (6).

Related Story. Imagine Jack Eichel in a New York Rangers uniform. light

More recently, star center Jack Eichel has expressed his frustrations to the Buffalo media, noting that he was “fed up with losing”. His honesty with the media led to a plethora of trade rumors, including to the New York Rangers. Any such rumors were quickly put to rest, but the damage was done, driving the Sabres deeper into their own personal “pit of despair”.

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