Despite NY Rangers trade distractions, they still have games to play

Well yesterday was rather anticlimactic, right? With all the news that wheels would be set in motion for the eventual Patrick Kane trade, the precursor —Jake Leschyshyn on waivers— never happened. Gerard Gallant admitted that this was a distraction for the team, but despite these NY Rangers trade distractions, there are still games to play. Four of them, to be exact, before the March 3 trade deadline.

These guys are human, and they know two guys in the locker room are going to be moved in some capacity. Vitali Kravtsov has been there all year, and it’s safe to assume he has at least a few friends in the locker room. Jake Leschyshyn has been a regular in the lineup, which certainly builds chemistry and friendship. The players don’t want to see their friends and teammates moved. It’s human.

But they are also professionals, and this is their job. For most, this isn’t their first rodeo with a trade deadline where their friends may be moved. The NY Rangers trade distractions are going to be there through this weekend’s back to back and, assuming the Kane trade eventually happens, through the next two games on Wednesday and Thursday to kick off March.

The Blueshirts may be a virtual lock for the playoffs and a date with the New Jersey Devils in the first round, but that doesn’t mean they can or should let distractions impact them on the ice. Today’s game against a selling Washington Capitals club is a good way to get back on track after two games with a subpar performance. Their 7 game win streak has been followed up by an 0-2-1 record, not ideal, and not the best time to start losing games.

The NY Rangers trade distractions are certainly starting to impact the team. With two forwards sitting out, the Rangers are forced to play 11 forwards and 7 defensemen for the next four games. Allowing the distractions to seep into their heads while also playing with a subpar lineup is not a recipe for success. This afternoon’s game against the Caps will tell us a lot about how the team will feel for the next week while this is all sorted out.