In retrospect, you are probably right. I wasn't sold on Alain when the Rangers named him HC, but I watch practically every game and I can't remember the last time NYR played such an up-tempo, entertaining brand of hockey.Firing AV is a stupid move by Gillis!
A lot of guys have really emerged - Zuccarello, Kreider, Brassard, Pouliot, John Moore, to name just a few, in AV's system. And having 3 stud D-men in McDonagh, Girardi and a healthy Marc Staal, and a world-class goalie in Lundqvist has covered up a lot of young mistakes. It's a team that looked stagnant under Torts ... good enough to make the playoffs, but not nearly good enough to challenge the likes of Boston and Pittsburgh in the East.
I've seen enough Ranger collapses over the years to know they could easily flame out in the first round, but for the first time in a while there seems to be enough offensive ammo under AV to make a bit of a run. Sure do need to get McDonagh back and near 100 per cent for the playoffs, but it's nice to have some optimism - albeit, cautious - going into the playoffs for a change.:thumb:





