New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) celebrates his goal with defenseman Jacob Trouba, right, and center Filip Chytil (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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Hockey season is finally upon us and the New York Rangers are trying to improve off their disappointing finish in last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
A humiliating Game 7 defeat at the hands of their rivals has forced change within the organization and a new face of leadership at the helm. Peter Laviolette was named the new head coach of the Blueshirts, and he’s tasked with finding a way to get a supremely talented team past the struggles of the last couple of years.
Can he accomplish that goal? Will the Rangers finally end their playoff woes in 2023? Is another trade on the horizon?
There are a lot of questions that will surround New York this season with a roster seemingly transitioning to a true-contending group. Before puck drop begins their 2023-24 season in Buffalo though, we need to look at the biggest questions that the team needs to answer this year.
How do Rangers respond to Peter Laviolette and his staff?
Laviolette’s style is tough and unrelenting. Like his predecessor, there’s no guarantee he can win over a locker room quickly and sustain that goodwill.
The Rangers are full of upstanding veterans who want to win hockey games. Their frustration under Gerard Gallant was a big reason why Turk is no longer a coach in New York. Will this same locker room take to Laviolette’s style? A lot of the 2023 season hinges on how the team responds to the adjustments made by this current staff.
Laviolette’s in-game adjustments have been well known and the style of play can make life miserable for opposing teams. That being said, that style isn’t exactly how the Rangers have played over the years.
What do adjustments look like for the team between games…
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