Ship’s sinking.
The disappointing Rangers stand at 7-13-3 despite an NHL-record $59 million payroll.
And with four days off between Friday night’s 6-2 loss in Florida and their next game, Wednesday at New Jersey, the Blueshirts have plenty of time to try to figure ways to right the myriad of wrongs on this team.
Coach John Muckler admits that captain Brian Leetch’s broken arm is “a big blow,” and that Leetch’s loss and the mental stress of a prolonged slump “can add up, if you [allow] it to. But if you stay positive, it shouldn’t be that way.”
That was his chore yesterday as the Rangers went back to practice in Rye: Keeping them positive despite a rash of injuries and a poor record.
“Somebody has to step up here, and it’s not going to be just one person; a lot of people have to step up,” Muckler said. “We’re not going to replace Brian. No individual is going to replace Brian, but each person on that defense is going to see more ice time now that Brian’s not there, so they’re going to have to step up and handle that situation.”
Of a more immediate nature, Muckler tinkered with a position switch for Wednesday’s game against the Devils. The Rangers expect to get some of their walking wounded back. Only center Manny Malhotra is still questionable for Wednesday with his sprained ankle, while center Tim Taylor, defenders Stephane Quintal and Kim Johnsson, and right winter Todd Harvey should be back, though Harvey might not be at the wing.
Harvey practiced well yesterday at center, a position he has played but never felt completely comfortable playing. But against the physical Devils, Muckler is more than toying with the idea of using Harvey as his fourth-line center even if Taylor returns.
“We might play him there,” Muckler said. “We’re looking at playing a line that’s gonna be aggressive, since Jersey’s such an aggressive hockey club. They’ve got [aggressive guys] on that line. We need to be aggressive.
“That’ll be his assignment, if he does play there. It’s not something that would last on a permanent basis. It’s something we try to put together for this particular team.”
Muckler did find time to praise the play of his rookies, Johnsson and second-line center Mike York.
“They certainly proved they can play in the NHL, and worked very hard,” Muckler said. “[Johnsson] has no limit to where his talent can take him. York has played exceptionally well for a first-year pro. He gets better and gains more confidence every day.
“We’re going to use [Johnsson] on the power play. We were hoping we could hold that back until Christmas, but out of necessity he’s going to have to play, and I think he’ll handle it pretty well.”