There’s a lot going wrong for the NY Rangers at the moment, and you could write an entire article about how every single one of the Blueshirts has underperformed lately. I don’t need to add to the hash that’s already been talked about, and I’m sure you’ve already read about it. It’s been dreary, and that’s putting it lightly.
So, instead, let’s engage in a “fun” exercise and talk about three players whose respective performances have been below-average through the first quarter, or two months, of this increasingly trying season. Two of the names listed have a chance to rebound, but one of them probably won’t have that opportunity unless something ultra-shocking happens.
Yeah, that’s my way of foreshadowing who the third player is on this list. Anyway, let’s get to the fun stuff.
Chris Kreider
Yep, I’ve been rough on Chris Kreider lately, but the guy’s been arguably the Rangers most underperforming forward this season, with a solid 10 goals but just 11 points in 24 games. He can finish plays left and right, and it shows us he’s still a valuable player. But it’s time to ask whether he should still be playing 17-plus minutes per game, on average.
That said, if it really is time to start rebuilding the Rangers, should anyone else be the next man traded? Hey, Kreider would make an outstanding third-liner on a championship-caliber team, something it seems like the Rangers no longer look like, and he could still return a decent value.
Maybe this is the way general manager Chris Drury will ultimately go, especially if it’s decided the Blueshirts aren’t deep enough of a team to seriously contend for the Cup this season.
Igor Shesterkin
I’ll be frank: I was hesitant to add Igor Shesterkin to this list because part of me says this isn’t on him. I mean, throughout the entire season, he’s faced roughly 31.5 shots on goal per game, so fans have one reason to say this is all someone else’s fault and to leave Shesterkin alone.
But let’s be real: He’s one of the best goaltenders in hockey, and when teams are facing dire situations, star goaltenders like Shesterkin have to step up. It would be one thing if he were a mid-tier netminder, but you can argue that Shesterkin is the best in the world at what he does.
Therefore, his 0.910 save percentage and 2.95 GAA isn’t something I’m buying as, even in this situation, it’s not up to Igor Shesterkin standards. I’ll concede that the Rangers need to do a better job in front of him, but Shesterkin should be called on to bail his team out more often, and that hasn’t happened.
On the plus side, he’s allowed no more than two goals in three of his last five starts, so he deserves credit where it’s due. But we need to see more consistency from the legendary netminder as we head into mid-December, simply for the sake of this hockey team.
Jacob Trouba (traded to Anaheim)
Wow, for all that’s gone wrong with the Blueshirts, at least they got rid of Jacob Trouba, who is now with the Anaheim Ducks. This one was a long time coming, so it should shock none of us that Trouba is no longer a member of the Rangers.
For one, can we all question his effort in what was his final quarter-season with New York? Six points, zero goals, 68 blocks, and 39 hits. Trouba looked like someone destined for third-pairing minutes should he have stayed in town, and a strong contingent of Rangers fans will probably say he deserves to be gone.
So, now it’s onto the drawing board to see who Trouba’s long-term replacement will be and if they put forth better play to help the Rangers at least look more respectable.