GABE PERRAULT
It was only practice, but I love the fact that Peter Laviolette had the Rangers high-profile college signee Gabe Perrault on a line centered by JT Miller with Alexis Lafreniere on the left. Miller is the perfect center, and mentor to get the best out of the Rangers two most skilled youngsters. Miller did what both players are trying to do. Go from a Rangers first round draft pick to a legitimate NHL All-Star. Plus, Miller didn’t do it the easy way as his journey shows incredible growth and maturity both on and off the ice. His intensity will help keep Lafreniere focused and his physicality will help open ice for Perrault. Not sure if the kid from Boston College is ready to contribute immediately, but at least it adds excitement for the final 8 games.
RANGERS SIGN YOUNG GOALIE
The New York Rangers announced today that they have signed college free agent goaltender Callum Tung to a three-year entry-level contract. The undrafted 21-year-old had a stellar freshman season (10-4-1, 2.01 GAA, and 0.933 save%) leading UConn to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8. Elliotte Friedman, (NHL Network, Sportsnet) said on his “32 Thoughts the Podcast”, “He’s a talented young goaltender… people were drooling about him. There are a bunch of NHL teams chasing after this guy”.
Tung’s decision to sign with the Rangers is somewhat surprising considering that Igor Shesterkin’s 8-year, $92m contract doesn’t start until July 1st, and the Rangers already have 22-year-old Dylan Garand completing his second successful season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. However, from the Rangers’ perspective, it’s a brilliant move. Impactful undrafted free agents are rare. Whether they come from the college ranks (i.e., Torey Krug, Chris Tanev) or from Europe (i.e., Artemi Panarin, Mats Zuccarello). However, it’s important for teams to compete for these players, especially if they, like the Rangers, have dealt a lot of draft choices in pursuit of Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Tung will immediately report to Hartford.
THE COACHING VERDICT
Laviolette has won 842 regular season games, has led 6 teams to the playoffs, 4 teams to the conference finals, 3 teams to the Stanley Cup finals and lifted the Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s a good coach but is currently struggling with a veteran roster.
The only two Rangers veterans who will leave this season with their reputation intact are Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin. Even then, they are at best having “average” seasons. For instance, Panarin must wear the fact that the Rangers power-play percentage is 27th in the league. None of the other veterans are playing close to their standard. Obviously, this is not all Laviolette’s fault. But after having made 8 trades in 90 days, there are limits to what else Drury can do this summer to rejuvenate the locker room.
I had previously thought that making the playoffs saves Laviolette’s job. Now, I think he needs to make the playoffs, make noise in the playoffs and get positive reviews from whichever players Drury respects the most in the exit interviews. Next year is an important year for Drury (can’t survive two seasons like this), the organization (the team’s centennial) and the other veterans who survive (for example, Adam Fox was panned after his “4 Nations Face-Off” and he needs to reestablish himself to make the USA Olympics team).
Sticking with Laviolette seems like an unnecessary risk.
WILL CUYLLE
Tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden, prior to the Rangers facing the Minnesota Wild, NYPD Lieutenant Conor McDonald will announce the winner of the most prestigious team award in New York professional sports, “The Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award” named after McDonald’s late Dad who was injured in the line of duty for the NYD back in 1986.
Every season, the fans vote for the award winner. Most years, the fans get it right. If they did again this year, McDonald will be handing the award to Will Cuylle, the 23-year-old from Toronto who has scored a career high 18 goals, 21 assists and 278 hits (currently second in the league).
ICYMI Link “The New York Rangers Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award”
