Observations on the New York Rangers wacky season

5 Observations about the New York Rangers after a hiatus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 12: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning overtime goal against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2022 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Devils 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers argues a call at Ball Arena against the Colorado Avalanche on December 09, 2022, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jack Dempsey/Getty Images) /

The coach

Does anyone really believe that Gerard Gallant is about to get fired? Sure, Barry Trotz is sitting at home waiting for a phone call, but Gallant has not been close to bad enough to deserve termination. Sure, he has made mistakes and some bad calls, but in a salary cap era with volatile ownership, coaching an NHL team is a sticky wicket and Gallant is walking a tightrope.

It’s almost laughable to say that he is panicking when he starts changing lines and defensive combinations. Every single NHL coach does it. It’s not panic, it’s simply an attempt to find something that works. Jon Cooper does it. Jared Bednar does it. Mike Sullivan does it.

And again, right now, the Rangers are in the playoffs.

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