Mike Sullivan got here up with a number of tweaks to the lineup heading into Monday’s sport towards Seattle at Madison Sq. Backyard, maybe most notably dropping Alexis Lafrenière from the second line to the third, with Gabe Perreault shifting to the second.
Following the workforce’s morning skate in Greenburgh, Sullivan mentioned the change was “performance-based” and mentioned the Rangers had been searching for higher manufacturing out of the persistently disappointing former first-overall decide whose taking part in time dipped in his earlier two video games.
Whereas Sullivan has made clear he likes Perreault’s sport and needs to offer the 20-year-old extra alternatives, the coach additionally left little doubt he’s not happy with Lafrenière, who has simply 9 targets on the 12 months — and two over his previous 16 video games.
Requested concerning the choice, Sullivan mentioned, “A part of it’s performance-based. … We’d like extra. We’d like extra out of some guys. I feel [Lafrenière] is a man who can convey extra to the desk for us.”
In Monday’s 4-2 loss to Seattle, Lafrenière was ineffective once more skating alongside Noah Laba and Brennan Othmann — though Othmann offered a short early spark after being recalled from AHL Hartford.
“[Lafrenière] and I’ve had the dialog and a part of my job is attempting to supply a pathway for gamers to thrive and succeed,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “I feel [Lafrenière] is a particularly proficient participant. He’s an excellent participant. … We predict he’s able to next-level play [and we] attempt to discover a method to get him there.’’
Othmann hit the submit twice Monday after a powerful latest efficiency within the AHL, however he’s nonetheless ready for his first NHL objective.
“We’re searching for gamers to earn their manner onto the roster,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “If they will make an influence, they’ll get an opportunity to play.”
Sullivan acknowledged that Matt Rempe was “not utterly healed” from the thumb surgical procedure that price him 24 video games earlier within the season. It’s a part of the explanation Rempe sat on Monday.
“We would like Rempe to make an influence on the sport,” Sullivan mentioned. “Hes not utterly healed. That’s simply the truth. When he’s at his easiest, he makes an influence and you recognize what that influence appears to be like like.”
That influence, largely, is not less than the specter of combating.
After getting back from a damaged thumb suffered in a struggle with the Sharks’ Ryan Reaves in October, Rempe hasn’t dropped his gloves- which has made him a lot much less efficient.
With the 6-foot-9 enforcer out, Taylor Raddysh was moved to the fourth line, alongside Jonny Brodzinski and Sam Carrick.
Othmann’s arrival coincided with Gabe Perreault changing Lafrenière on the second line, as Sullivan’s religion within the 20-year-old has grown.
The coach has praised Perreault’s enchancment, particularly along with his poise with the puck and his playmaking potential.
He’s gotten pretty constant taking part in time during the last three weeks, though he entered Monday with only one help over his earlier seven video games.
Will Cuylle has gone eight straight video games with out a level and Sullivan desires him to get to his type of play, saying Cuylle ought to “be a north-south man” who’s at his greatest when he goes to the online and performs with physicality. That may enable him to reap the benefits of skating with playmakers Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, which is why he’s on the highest line.
“Generally, relying on which line we put him on, he tends to get away from that north-south, straight-ahead sport that we expect he thrives in,’’ Sullivan mentioned. “I feel it’s been sporadic.”
Sullivan mentioned Adam Fox (long-term IR) and Igor Shesterkin (IR) are “established order.”
