With breakup day taking place yesterday, the 2018-2019 Rangers are together no more. As such, today’s edition of Bantering Points will be the last one until training camp opens for the 2019-2020 campaign. Thanks for skipping the links and jumping directly into the comments browsing through these pieces on a daily basis throughout the season. Here are today’s news and links:
- Denis P. Gorman notes that the Chris Kreider’s future was at the forefront of everyone’s mind yesterday (Newsday)
- Colin Stephenson relays word that in spite of his team’s lousy on-ice results, Jeff Gorton views the 2018-19 season as a success (Newsday)
- Rick Carpiniello discusses how Gorton’s luck charm on draft lottery night could speed up the organization’s rebuild (The Athletic)
- Dave Shapiro updates the status of his site and offers a thought on Glen Sather (Blue Seat Blogs)
- Steve Paulus ponders who Rangers fans should root for when the puck drops to kick off the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Blue Line Station)
- Alexa Potack chatted with Tarmo Reunanen his Finnish career, his upcoming transition to North American hockey, and more (Battle of NY Hockey)
- Jess Isner hears that if there’s one thing these Rangers want to carry over into next season, it would be the team’s never-say-never attitude (Official Team Site)
Around the NHL:
- In the wake of firing Bob Boughner, the Florida Panthers have reportedly extended an offer to former Chicago Blackhawks’ head coach Joel Quenneville so take over their now-vacant head coaching position (Sportsnet)
- Erik Wollschlager reports that the Buffalo Sabres also fired their head coach from the 2018-19 season, showing Phil Housley the door after his team’s monumental collapse from Thanksgiving on (Die By The Blade)
- The Los Angeles Kings will not retain interim head coach Willie Desjardins in any capacity, opening up another position behind the bench (TSN)
- Sean Leahy takes a look at the television coverage of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs (NBC Sports)