It may be difficult to see the light at the end of this dark tunnel the Rangers are trudging through, but it’s definitely there and the players in the pipeline have everything to do with it.
Mechanical failures, safety concerns and maintenance costs led to the ride’s demise. Just like defensive and structural breakdowns, personnel and management issues, and an off-kilter locker room have fed into that of the Rangers.
SUNRISE, Fla. — Alexis Lafreniere’s play to start the season demanded a spot on the Rangers’ top power-play unit, but the team looked like it was going to carry over last season’s success and there was no reason to break up what was the third-best man-advantage unit in the NHL last season.
A bunch of slumping star players proved to be contagious and ignited a team-wide collapse for the Rangers, who spent Christmas in the basement of the Metropolitan Division because of it.