Rangers Daily: Adam Fox ‘kind of same’ 2nd chance response about future
It wasn’t exactly doubling down, but Adam Fox certainly remained ambiguous about his future with the New York Rangers when given a second chance to answer a question about that topic after their wild 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
When asked a few days ago if he wanted to remain with the Rangers during their retool, Fox replied “I think that’s a conversation for when we’re done playing games.”
That didn’t give off warm and fuzzy vibes that Fox is all-in on the Rangers nor his future on Broadway. Remember, this is the player who did everything in his power with two previous organizations — the Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes — to force a trade to the Rangers before the Long Island native had ever played a professional game.
There are other veteran Rangers, who, like Fox, have trade protection in their contracts, but stated their desire to stay with the Rangers during this latest retool. Somewhat surprisingly, Fox didn’t follow in line with Mika Zibanejad nor Jonathan Quick — his answer was ambiguous at best.
Colin Stephenson of Newsday asked him Monday if he wanted to clarify his stance about his Rangers future. But Fox stuck to his script, likely meaning he’s got serious concerns about where the Rangers are headed and whether he wishes to be a part of it all moving forward.
“Yeah, kind of the same, I think,” Fox said after the latest loss. “We’re just trying to focus on games, myself included. Like I said, there’s a lot going on, the [trade] deadline and everything. I think all anyone can do right now is take it day by day and try to bring a good effort, try to bring good attitude, and obviously go from there.”
At least, the 28-year-old is being honest. He’s not trying to fake anything. In fact, he’s clearly keeping his real feelings to himself. That’s his priority. This is very likely a difficult and confusing time for him.
The Rangers won’t trade Fox before Friday, that’s for sure. But there appears to be a significant conversation on the horizon this offseason between the former Norris Trophy winner and Rangers general manager Chris Drury.
Stay tuned.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here are the key Rangers takeaways from the four-goal third-period comeback by the Rangers, which ultimately fell short in the OT loss to the Blue Jackets.
A clear Rangers bright spot was the play of Gabe Perreault on Monday. Our John Kreiser gets into the rookie’s breakout three-point night.
Vincent Trocheck made it clear that he’s fine if the Rangers trade him before Friday. But Trocheck also laid out what his priorities are if he’s moved off Broadway.
Former Rangers star Artemi Panarin is finding out that the grass may not be greener in Los Angeles with the Kings.
NHL news and rumors
Sportsnet: Adam Vingan shares his list of five “bargain-bin” trade candidates ahead of the deadline Friday. How the heck did Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider end up on a bargain-bin list?
ESPN: An actual substantial trade Monday, four days ahead of the deadline. The Edmonton Oilers landed veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks for a second-round pick.
Colorado Hockey Now: Could Nazem Kadri end up back with the Avalanche? Reportedly, trade talks are heating up between the Avalanche and Calgary Flames about the veteran center.
Sportsnet: The Vancouver Canucks may trade center Elias Pettersson, and he’s not surprised, admitting he hasn’t “lived up to expectations” of his massive contract.
TSN: Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said he wants to give his team a “bump” ahead of the deadline, unlike a year ago when the Bruins moved several veteran players.
Daily Faceoff: The Winnipeg Jets are without forward Nino Niederreiter for 4-6 weeks following surgery to repair a lower-body issue.
Philly Hockey Now: William James breaks down the good and bad news for the Flyers on Monday. They did snag two points in a 3-2 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. But Travis Konecny didn’t play with an upper-body injury, and defenseman Nick Seeler left the game with a lower-body injury.
