The NHL season is just twenty-three days away and many questions about the fate and destiny of the New York Rangers will hopefully be answered this year. The team is currently in the process of a huge re-build and it’s only a matter of time before their fans and the hockey world sees if all their moves paid off in the end.
Let’s begin with the team’s coaching change. After five seasons at the realm, and following a disappointing seventy-seven point season in 2017-18, the Rangers dismissed Alain Vigneault of his coaching duties. The team’s best year under him was 2013-14 when they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, before falling in five games to the Los Angeles Kings. Following a thorough search, the team’s front office felt they made a strong and confident decision in hiring David Quinn, head coach for Boston University, as their new leader behind the bench.
Quinn describes himself as a fair yet demanding coach. At his press conference, he told reporters, “Give me an honest effort every night.”
The team is also attempting to showcase a majority of their younger players this season. Despite only playing a couple games last season, rookies such as Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil have already made a huge impact.The 19-year-old Swede and 19-year-old Czech players are currently taking part in the team’s Traverse City tournament, hoping to not only showcase more skill, but prove they are here to stay,
Of course, the main reason and dream in this rebuild is to give goaltender Henrik Lundqvist the long-awaited Stanley Cup he has dreamed of. The 36-year-old Swede’s dream of lifting Lord Stanley has come just short in many of his eleven seasons in the NHL, and he is truly hoping this season will be the year it happens. He also recently met coach Quinn and is excited about what he is bringing to the table.
“We met in Gothenburg (Sweden) and I got a great feeling. You learn a lot when you get a new coach. There will be an opportunity to develop as a player,” Henrik told Swedish reporters at SVT Sport.
Overall, it’s going to be quite the season for the New York Rangers. Is David Quinn the answer? Will Henrik Lundqvist FINALLY win a cup? One game at a time, but it’s going to be one heck of a ride, so hang on!
