Why so serious?

Why so serious?

Last week, I proposed a somewhat scandalous suggestion, in that it doesn’t rely on either the eye test or on advanced statistics. It called upon the Rangers’ lack of enthusiasm and other intangibles that often make stats people a little upset. It’s worth a quick read prior to this post.

The majority of comments cited a need for change, that the Rangers have outrun their window to win. However, does this necessarily mean blowing up the team? From Gorton’s moves this week, it certainly looks like he’s trying to create a team to win, with prudent signings this week which will hopefully ameliorate the current core.

We all agree that the defense is a mess. For the sake of positivity, let’s say that Gorton is aware and is considering all of his options prior to making a change, or that he is unable to make any change with the defense at the moment. Let’s negate them out of this argument in this perfect world of blogging.

What change could be made that would address the speculated issues off the ice? For starters, this idea of the “core” Rangers could be shaken. Not necessarily in trade value, but perhaps in a shake of the leadership.

I wrote about Ryan McDonagh at the beginning of his captainship, questioning how it would go, keeping a close eye on him. Although this is not something that should need to be said in every single post, I’ll bite and say this: this is not reflective of McDonagh as a player. If I saw that he was traded, even readers across the world would hear me crying. He is unbelievably talented and, quite frankly, our only bright spot on the defense. But how is he as a captain?

McDonagh is the first to blame himself — a role usually held for de facto captain Henrik Lundqvist — and seems to take losses or mistakes very seriously. This is a good quality to have to a degree. I often wonder if the sulking and the self-depreciation is harmful to his ability to lead. While it is a good trait in terms of teaching your team to take responsibility for the actions of the team, it could become all-encompassing. Particularly in a game like hockey, where split second decisions need to be made, overanalysis and self-pity (to a degree) will only hurt a players actions.

Not knowing McDonagh personally, it is difficult to say for sure that this is the correct course of action. His locker room persona could be completely different from his media persona. It could be his outlet for those feelings, and the way he conducts himself in front of the team could be entirely different. However, shaking up leadership has worked for the San Jose Sharks most recently, and it will be curious to see how it works in Los Angeles this upcoming year.

Perhaps beginning with the alternate captains would provide a great shake, without providing a thunderous change that may disrupt the locker room more than it’d help. What does this locker room needs to change? Even better, does this locker room need to change? Still more questions for the coach to consider during these days with not much going on.

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