Did you catch Mike Sullivan’s introductory press conference as Rangers head coach?If you missed it, then just go back to the introductory press conferences for Peter Laviolette and Gerald Gallant. They all sound the same
“I have spoken to every player on the roster over the last three days,” Sullivan said Thursday at his introductory news conference. “I think there is a fair amount of leadership in that room. There’s a lot of character in that room.”
Not sure which Rangers team the coach was talking about. From the top on down, leadership clearly lacking on last season’s Rangers team. Maybe if there had been some real leadership then most of the problems the Rangers had last year might not have happened.
Want a good suggestion as to how to pick the next captain of the Rangers? Make sure the new captain holds himself and his teammates accountable to each other. Lead the team by example by being there for 60 minutes every night. Chew someone’s backside when they do not show up ready to play.
Hopefully, the next guy named captain of the Rangers is someone who when the Rangers need a big play will make that play whether it is a hit or a goal or even if needed a fight. Or on nights when the team plays bad says so instead of wondering why they played poorly.
Please coach start by going back to having one captain and just two assistants as the leaders of the players. Start by having a captain who leads the team with his play not by his popularity with the fans and merchandise sales.
If I had a say in who would be the captain of the Rangers, then my choice is Vincent Trocheck as he has shown exactly what the Rangers have been missing since the first Mark Messier era. Last season when the team came to Pittsburgh right around Thanksgiving, it was Trocheck who opened his home to have a team dinner.
It was also Trocheck who during the season invited 23 year old Will Cuylle to live with his family rather than on his own. It was the perfect influence for Cuylle to have, and the results showed.
Cuylle in just his second season as a Ranger was named the winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.
Redistibute the letters
Do you remember who won the award in 2023-2024 right? Yes, it was Vincent Trocheck and that folks makes my case for Trocheck to be the next Rangers captain. Sorry I would not put the “A” on any of the players who wore it last season.
J.T. Miller gets one of the “A’s” and why not Will Cuylle the other? If there is a better trio to be leading the Rangers, then please make your case. If Johnny Brodzinski was a top six player every night, then a case could be made for him earning a letter.
Start the retooling by having real leaders among the players. No more having six guys wearing letters as really none of the six last year deserved it. These three do.
