The Rangers are 10-9-4 so far this season. The team has been underperforming so far this season after there were massive expectations put on them after making the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay last season. While the team is very similar to the one who made it to Game 6 last season, there have been some key differences. Many are calling for Gerard Gallant to be fired or at least make some changes to the lineup. Should Gallant be held more accountable for the team’s lack of success so far?
The Rangers were destined by many to be fighting for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, but so far, they have been playing below expectations. The Rangers are fourth in the Metro and are one point out of a playoff spot. Fans were expecting better and many are blaming Gerard Gallant for the team playing so poorly. They are criticizing his lineup choices and his lack of changes throughout the game when the team gets in a hole.
His major criticism is his lineup decisions. Gallant likes to keep his lineup the same even when the team has been struggling. This means a player like Vitali Kravtsov, who has been injured but is healthy now has missed the last eight games. Kravtsov was almost guaranteed a second-line spot playing with Artemi Panarin, but his injuries have changed things.
Another lineup choice that fans are hating on Gallant for is having a guy like Jimmy Vesey playing on the top line, while players like Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko get pushed down the lineup. The fans want to see the top two picks get a chance to play with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad instead of a guy like Vesey, who is better suited for the bottom six. Fans believe that if Kakko and Lafreniere were given more chances to play, it could solve some of the teams’ problems.
Gallant also likes to keep the first power-play unit together, even though they have been struggling as of late. If he put one of Kakko or Lafreniere on the top unit, it could give the power-play the spark it needs.
If the Rangers keep up this trend of underperforming, Gerard Gallant’s tenure in New York could come to an abrupt end. If not Gallant, a trade might be made in order to shake up the team. Gerard Gallant likes to let his players do most of the work, but many feel it is time for Gallant to send a message to this team.