The time has come to try the New York Rangers in the court of public opinion with our ESNY report cards, and the Rangers forwards are first.
By Chris Wengert
Following the past few seasons you may have heard New York Rangers fans say, “It may be over but it was a hell of a run”.
Well this season it’s simply over.
There were a few stretches where the Rangers played some quality hockey, but those stretches we followed by inconsistent play and questionable coaching decisions.
There is the old “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey” cliché that usually holds some truth, but not this season.
The 2015-2016 New York Rangers’ season was a long and agonizing journey in large part because fans were never sure what to expect on a nightly basis.
The Feisty, Never-Say-Die New York Rangers Are Long Gone
Would the Rangers play a hard-nosed physical game, or an underwhelming one?
Strong goaltending, weak goaltending, good coaching, or bad coaching?
The paradox is that the Rangers were all of these at one point or another.
And sometimes being inconsistent is worse than being just plain bad. Edmonton Oiler or Buffalo Saber fans understood that their respective teams were, well, bad.
But sometimes having an inkling of hope is worse because you start to believe.
You start to believe that perhaps with the right acquisitions and a strong effort, your team may be capable of making a playoff run.
But now here we sit with the knowledge that this team never really had a shot at Lord Stanley’s most prized possession.
The house of cards came crashing down.
Well, it’s time for the curious case of the 2015-2016 New York Rangers to be heard in the court of public opinion.
Today we’ll present grades for the Rangers forwards.
