Rangers Roundup: Will the team finally name a captain, and John Tortorella looking for management position?
The New York Rangers have been without out a captain since Ryan McDonagh was traded away three years ago. For the Blueshirts, they have opted to go with four alternate captains since McDonagh. Lost in all the changes since John Davidson, Jeff Gorton and David Quinn were let go is the captaincy question.
Will the team finally name a captain?
“It’s about the right player at the right time,” were the words John Davidson uttered when asked at his first Rangers town hall about naming a captain. He also noted there was concern it would be an unnecessary burden. That made sense to start the 2019-20 season, but leaders have emerged since and I am betting Chris Drury and the new head coach (whomever that may be) will be putting a C on someone’s sweater next season.
Three candidates come to mind and they are Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Jacob Trouba. Kreider is the longest serving member of the Rangers and is the most likely to get it. Although it should be kept in mind that the Blueshirts believe that Alexis Lafrenière is the future captain material. This was told to me by someone within the organization during the season. So Kreider, who is 30 years-old would help groom Alexis to one day take the C.
John Tortorella open to management?
We really haven’t heard much about John Tortorella in all the latest coaching news and rumors. Names that have been in the news are Gerard Gallant and Rick Tocchet which have both been interviewed by the New York Rangers.
Other names in the rumor mill are David Quinn as a possible candidate for the Blue Jackets job and Bruce Boudreau potential with the Sabres. Just not a lot when it comes to the winningest US Born coaches in NHL history.
From what I could gather from a knowledgeable source, John Tortorella is open for a management position. I’m not ruling out a Torts return behind the bench, but it could explain why we haven’t heard his name as much as others yet.
The big question now is if there will be any management positions to open up this summer? If any do, will Torts make the move to GM? Interesting notion to say the least.
NHL Playoffs Results: Leafs win it for Tavares
The Toronto Maple Leafs won game 2 for John Tavares. After a disappointing loss to open the playoffs and seeing their captain sustain one of the scariest injuries to date, the Leafs played inspired hockey. They rallied for their fallen leader and evened the series against the Canadiens. Read about it here.
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