How many years ago was 1994? It’s more than 7, right? Good, good. (Photo: Screenshot from BlueshirtsUnited.com)
The New York Rangers welcomed their 35th head coach today at Radio City Music Hall. In his first meeting with the New York media, Alain Vigneault (who prefers to be called AV) already presented a strong contrast to John Tortorella: he was engaging, friendly, and answered everyone’s questions. So, on first glance he doesn’t seem to live up to the legend that the Vancouver media has built around him. Speaking of Vancouver media, they may soon have a new nemesis to clash with: reports are saying that Torts may be heading to Vancouver. Good luck with that, boys.
So, what does AV have planned for the new Rangers regime?
Well, first of all, it seems like it will be a more lenient regime. Vigneault plans to give a bit more “latitude” to top skill players to let them take chances and “make something out of nothing.” Does this mean that players like Brad Richards won’t be warming the bench for 90% of the game? Signs point to yes.
GM Glen Sather seems to think that AV is hungry to win. AV “wants to be a winner” in New York. AV also mentioned that he looked at pictures of the 1994 victory parade. Talk about getting over your ex quickly…
AV is also committed to putting players “in positions to succeed.” With top offensive talent like Rick Nash, Carl Hagelin, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, and Chris Kreider, that position is not the bench, which a few of those boys have been seeing a lot lately.
Sather summed it up rather nicely: ”If you look at the injuries we have had over the years, the number of guys who really were getting the crap kicked out of them in our end because we constantly had to defend our own end… but I think it started to wear our team out… So it was time to do something to change the style so that we could go further and compete longer.” (source: BlueshirtsUnited.com)
AV stroked the right egos (Henrik is the “best goaltender in the world”, Nash is “an elite player”) and was personable enough to present a new face for the Rangers. Whether or not he’ll get the right chemistry working on the ice, well, we’ll have to wait and see.
