Peter Laviolette Continues His Track Record Of Sending A Big Message With These Changes
When New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury hired current head coach Peter Laviolette on June 13th, 2023, it was made clear that complacency was not acceptable for this franchise.
Even something as simple as line changes sends a boisterous message to both the locker room and the fans. Points in eight of the team's first ten games is not even close to good enough. Lethargic performances are not tolerated.
Gerard Gallant was dismissed for that very reason. Yes, the Blueshirts attained consecutive 100-point seasons in each of his first two seasons - the first time any coach had done so with the team. Yes, Gallant guided the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural campaign.
For all of Gallant's triumphs, however, he has faced criticism for his treatment of veteran mainstays and superstar names. The Turk has also not had an exemplary track record when it comes to longevity with teams - he has not coached any NHL team for more than three seasons.
Following a downtrodden Game Seven loss to the archrival Devils in the 2023 Eastern Conference First Round, Gallant was fired. The Rangers, famished for a Stanley Cup championship for 30 years and counting, needed a new bench boss.
Peter Laviolette Brings A Stellar Resume And Demanding Style To New York
When Peter Laviolette was introduced as the 37th head coach in franchise history, it represented the team's biggest hire in terms of name power and brand image since Alain Vigneault.
Laviolette's track record and accomplishments in the NHL speak volumes. He is the winningest American NHL coach, and just the fourth NHL coach to lead three different teams to the Stanley Cup Final.
If that was not enough, Laviolette is also just the eighth NHL bench boss to attain 800 victories. He is the only coach to guide six different NHL clubs to the playoffs.
Known for his fervor and effervescence, Laviolette has an unabashed approach when it comes to demanding more than the best from all players, especially the stars. That is why Artemi Panarin has been playing the best hockey of his career. It is also why Alexis Lafreniere, once dismissed by fans as a "bust", just inked a massive extension.
This Longtime Stud Is Dissatisfied With The Current State Of Affairs
Mika Zibanejad, now in his ninth season as a Ranger, has publicly expressed his disapproval of a perceived diminishing role.
Five seasons ago, the man called Mikachu averaged nearly 22 minutes of ice time per game - a career high. Through ten games this season, he is averaging 18 minutes and six seconds of ice time, nearly two minutes less compared to just last year.
It is certainly not a product of age or declining skills, either. Zibanejad amassed career-highs in shots on goal (251) and points (91) just two years ago. During this season, he has still won 54.6% of his faceoffs and is averaging 2.32 points per 60 minutes.
So why is it that the star center's ice time is being reduced and his production points-wise is on a decline?
Peter Laviolette has maintained that he is committed to being more equitable with ice time beyond the top six. Zibanejad's five-on-five performance has not lived up to the expected standard, either.
Is there a way to potentially reignite the Huddinge, Sweden native?
Peter Laviolette Is Going Nuclear To Produce A Spark
Laviolette has downplayed the notion of massive line changes. In fairness to him, it is merely coach speak, and he is certainly not one to cause a scene by obfuscating changes to the team.
The Rangers, however, will be looking much different when they play the reeling Islanders for the first time on Sunday. Wholesale changes are imminent for a Rangers team that ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference and is 11th overall in five-on-five goals.
Artemi Panarin will flank Zibanejad and Lafreniere on the first line - a unit that is usually comprised of Chris Kreider, the aforementioned Zibanejad, and Reilly Smith.
On the second line, which is normally Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere, Chris Kreider joins Filip Chytil and Kappo Kakko. This maneuver will be especially controversial, because the third line of Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko has been one of the best lines in hockey in this nascent season.
Laviolette is not done there, either. Cuylle will try to coalesce with Trocheck and Smith on the third line. Finishing out the forward groupings is the fourth line of Edstrom-Carrick-Vesey.
Jimmy Vesey is expected to return Sunday. Fan-favorite Matt Rempe has been sent down to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack yet again.
Will These Changes Prove To Be Effective?
The dissolution of the third line is obviously an unpopular choice. Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko has been among the league's most prolific and efficient lines. Asking them to coalesce with new linemates, on such abrupt notice, could disrupt their initial surge in production.
With that being said, it is imperative to get the embattled Mika Zibanejad back to his 2022-2023 form. Panarin has points in nine of ten games this season, just had a nine-game point streak, and is on pace for 57 goals, which would surpass his career-high of 49.
Zibanejad's other new potential linemate, Lafreniere, has ten points in 10 games so far this season. Nine of those points have been accrued during five-on-five play - an area in which Mika Zibanejad has struggled mightily.
At the risk of stating the obvious, only time will tell if these line changes will be effective. The fact that there are new faces on each line should prove to Zibanejad that Peter Laviolette is willing to do anything to get him firing on all cylinders again.
The reduction in ice time is not an enthralling prospect to him, but two things can be true at once. Reduced time on the ice can correlate to Zibanejad making more out of his opportunities, and also keep him fresh for the playoffs.
Shesterkin's Price Tag Keeps Soaring
Igor Shesterkin declined the most lucrative contract for a goalie in NHL history when the season began. After a modest performance last season - by his standards, anyway - Shesterkin's return to dominance has continued to propel the Rangers.
Much like Aaron Judge in 2022, Shesterkin is betting on himself. Should his performance continue to be as presently constituted, we could see him become the NHL's first $100 million netminder.
Among all goalies with at least five games played this season, Shesterkin has earned the following ranks:
second in goals saved above expected (10.4)
second in save percentage on unblocked shots (.967)
second in GAA better than expected (1.30)
second in save percentage on shots on goal (.931)
second in Money Puck's wins above replacement metric (1.73)
Objectively, the only goalie who has outperformed Shesterkin is Lukas Dostal of the Anaheim Ducks. The Czech Republic native, who registered very meager numbers in his first three seasons, leads all goalies in practically every category.
As of now, the Vezina Trophy race is down to these two. Of course, less than a fifth of the season has been played. But Shesterkin could very well become just the third active goalie with multiple Vezina Trophies.
The Rangers made Henrik Lundqvist the highest-paid goalie right before Christmas in 2013. They know they go as far as he can take them. There is no reason to believe he will not be a Ranger.
Peter Laviolette's line changes, Shesterkin betting on himself, Alexis Lafreniere's new extension, and Mika Zibanejad's apparent malcontent have made for a very eventful early season. It remains to be seen if the circumstances can morph into an elusive Stanley Cup championship.