After Jimmy Vesey informed The Put up’s Larry Brooks on Thursday that he “feels like I have no role or purpose” on the Rangers, head coach Peter Laviolette mentioned Friday he speaks with particular person gamers constantly — together with Vesey — and hasn’t dominated out taking part in him or anybody else.
“I talk to players all the time,” Laviolette mentioned when requested about Vesey’s feedback. “I talked to Jimmy [on Thursday] before he addressed you guys.”
Vesey hasn’t been used the previous 9 video games and has performed in simply 26 video games this season after taking part in 80 video games final yr, Laviolette’s first behind the bench with the Rangers.
“Jimmy is an important piece of this team,” Laviolette mentioned. “He’s proven that. Right now, we’ve gone with this lineup, and like all the players that aren’t in there, we just ask them to keep working hard. We’re more than confident in our team and their abilities to come in and make a difference.”
Laviolette added he’s made these lineup choices with one factor in thoughts because the Rangers attempt to safe a playoff spot within the Jap Convention.
“Right now, it’s about winning hockey games,” Laviolette mentioned. “It’s not about, ‘We’re going to make this move for this reason.’ It’s every day, putting the lineup we want to put in, and it’s not to slight anybody. … It’s about the lineup for that day to get two points.”
Laviolette declined to say Friday who could be in Saturday’s lineup, and that was previous to Friday evening’s commerce of Filip Chytil to Vancouver.
Even earlier than the deal, it appeared newcomer Arthur Kaliyev is likely to be scratched Saturday in Boston, as Jonny Brodzinski took reps with Chris Kreider and Chytil.
The road, which had included Kaliyev and Chtil, in addition to Kreider, hadn’t been particularly productive.
Brodzinski is among the many gamers, together with Vesey and Zac Jones, who hasn’t performed a lot of late, with Brodzinski’s final look coming Jan. 11.
Okay’Andre Miller and Will Borgen have been strong since being paired collectively.
“I think they’re both big and skate well and move the puck,” Laviolette mentioned. “They’re bigger bodies, use their size and have been a good pair.”
The duo have been used because the crew’s second defensive pairing, getting tasked with shutting down high opposing traces. Borgen was acquired within the deal that despatched Kaapo Kakko to Seattle in December.
