Breakup Day Takeaways
The infamous locker cleanout day more dramatically referred to as breakup day. It’s the NHL equivalent of the last day of school where you write HAGS in everyone’s yearbook and clean out your locker but instead of the excitement that surrounds that day, this is one filled with disappointment and somber reflections.
We’ll start with the easy question filled with hopeful optimism, Chris Kreider believes this group can go all the way.
Chris Kreider was asked if he thinks the Rangers have what it takes to go all the way:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"Yes." pic.twitter.com/boRxkDhpUm
Further to that point, K’Andre Miller was asked a similar question and feels that the Rangers are currently constructed to achieve that goal.
K'Andre Miller was asked if he thinks the Rangers are missing anything:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"I don't think there's much missing. I think we just came up short. I love every single guy in this room." pic.twitter.com/9xgueFvo84
Similar thoughts were expressed by Barclay Goodrow who still sees a bright future for this team.
"It hurts now but I think the future still looks very bright."
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
- Barclay Goodrow pic.twitter.com/jPF41mU22h
One of the more anticipated conversations regarding the health of Adam Fox was one of the first stories to come out this afternoon. While Fox made it a point to refrain from it being an excuse, he did admit that the collision with Nick Jensen in Round 1 “reaggravated” his knee injury from earlier in the season.
Adam Fox was reluctant to make any “excuses” but eventually when pressed admitted that the knee-on-knee collision with Nick Jensen in the first round “reaggravated” the knee injury that kept him out earlier in the year. Doesn’t anticipate needing any offseason procedures. #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) June 4, 2024
The good news is that Fox does not expect to require any offseason surgeries.
As it turns out, Fox wasn’t the only Rangers defenseman dealing with a notable injury. Captain Jacob Trouba suffered a broken ankle this season which clearly had a larger impact on his play throughout the regular season and into playoffs.
Jacob Trouba had a broken ankle this season. Missed some time but definitely affected his play. #NYR
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) June 4, 2024
#NYR captain Jacob Trouba said the injury he sustained earlier in the season was a broken ankle, “a big chunk of his ankle came off.”
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) June 4, 2024
Since it wasn’t a weight-bearing bone, he was mostly okay, but skating did not feel good.
We’ll have plenty of time in the coming weeks to unpack that major story but the initial reaction is that the Rangers coaching staff, medical team and front office really dropped the ball here and should have shut him down longer. You had capable reinforcements in Zac Jones and Chad Ruhwedel post trade deadline. Not only was Trouba playing poorly but he likely prolonged the healing process and risked his long term health in doing so. Easily the most concerning report from the day.
In less shocking news, Blake Wheeler might be considering retirement. The veteran winger will turn 38 this summer and has 1,172 games under his belt on top of coming off a pretty serious injury.
Blake Wheeler doesn’t know yet if he wants to play again. It’s a discussion he will have with his wife. He wants to be there for his kids. He’s on the fence right now. And if he’s done, he said he is content with his career and everything he did as a player.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 4, 2024
Mika Zibanejad was asked about what the Rangers need to do in order to improve after this season to which he gave a very solemn answer about needing to “get better at what we do” and using their experience to navigate the road forward.
Mika Zibanejad was asked about what he thinks the Rangers need to improve upon after this season: pic.twitter.com/L7kShgpLbB
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
Zibanejad was also asked a hard-hitting question regarding what the ideal right wing to him and Kreider looks like. He didn’t really give much of an answer but did allude to the importance of them finding someone who can help them generate more 5-v-5 offense.
Mika Zibanejad was asked about the type of player he would like to have on the right wing:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"You're really putting me on the spot here" 😂 pic.twitter.com/i8WzFn3orf
Alex Wennberg mentioned that he would love to stay in New York and is anticipating having those discussions down the road.
Alex Wennberg, a pending UFA: “I would love to stay. That’s something we’ll discuss in the future. It’s good memories so far from this place. I would definitely want to come back here.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 4, 2024
Vincent Trocheck spoke on the bond this group established this season, the feeling surrounding their shortcomings and provided insight on his moment with Igor Shesterkin after Game 6.
Vincent Trocheck was asked what he will remember about this year's Rangers team:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"Throughout a season, you become a family, truly become a family. You become extremely tight with every guy in this locker room." pic.twitter.com/PAQVq3Eq1j
Vincent Trocheck was asked about consoling Igor Shesterkin at the end of Game 6:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"I just told him he was our best player and he deserved better." pic.twitter.com/aLIoPR35OU
Jonathan Quick also had some thoughts on the team’s shortcomings, speaking to the level of belief this group had in each other right to the end. He also went into his relationship with Igor Shesterkin.
"The goal the whole time was to be playing hockey in June and winning in June. We felt like we had a team to do that. Up until the buzzer went in that last game, we believed we were going to."
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
- Jonathan Quick pic.twitter.com/1MsTGsdjYs
"I feel like he brings the best out of me"
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
Jonathan Quick talks about his relationship with Igor Shesterkin: pic.twitter.com/XlmPUyNwOO
Jimmy Vesey, who did not get to finish the series against the Panthers suffered a separated shoulder which shouldn’t require surgery.
#NYR Jimmy Vesey says he separated his shoulder and that’s what kept him out
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) June 4, 2024
Artemiy Panarin had some touching points to make regarding the overall support he encountered playing for the Rangers throughout this run.
#NYR Artemi Panarin:
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) June 4, 2024
“This year I can feel it outside of hockey. For fans watching — after 5 years here I have never felt like what everyone expected from us this year. I feel like the whole hockey world wanted us to win. Every series against Washington, Carolina, Florida — the…
Artemi Panarin said he was touched seeing all the Rangers fans who were cheering as the team bus drove past in Florida. He added that, with no iPhone, he has nothing better to do than look out the window.
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 4, 2024
Igor Shesterkin was asked about his big contract negotiations that will be lingering as he is eligible to sign an extension this summer.
Igor Shesterkin was asked if he is thinking at all about his next contract because he can sign an extension this summer.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 4, 2024
“Sorry, I don’t speak English,” he said.
That is, of course, his way of saying no comment.
In a more serious response, the Rangers star goaltender was hard on himself and extremely appreciative of the Rangers fanbase.
#NYR Igor Shesterkin was still pretty hard on himself:
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) June 4, 2024
“I just know I could make another save and we could probably score after that.”
He’s such an incredible competitor.
“I just want to say thank you so much. It was really amazing to play at MSG and on the road trips. Best…
This injury list grows as Ryan Lindgren mentioned he cracked a rib in Game 6 of the Carolina series. He also reiterated how much he loves New York and wants to be here.
#NYR Ryan Lindgren says he cracked his rib in Game 6 against Carolina
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) June 4, 2024
"I love being here and this is definitely where I want to be."
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
- Ryan Lindgren on playing for the Rangers pic.twitter.com/OwaPn3goqT
Kaapo Kakko had some candid reflection in his responses. Mentioned that the plan is for him to play with Mika and Kreider over the summer, continued to sing the praises of this group but wasn't necessarily confident he'd be back.
Kakko was pretty honest in his self evaluation. Said Lavi told him he’d play with 20/93 over the summer, “But all those games we played together, it never worked out that well. If you're playing those minutes, you have to score some goals.”
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) June 4, 2024
Will he be back? “We’ll see.” #NYR
"The team is great, everyone wants to win"
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
Kaapo Kakko was asked about his future with the Rangers: pic.twitter.com/KjpfXDgFgM
Lastly, fan-favorite Matt Rempe had lots to say about his plans for the summer as he hopes to become more of a well-rounded, full time option for the Rangers fourth line.
Matt Rempe was asked about his plans for the summer:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) June 4, 2024
"First off, I gotta get rid of my eye infection. I look like an idiot. Sorry about that" 😂 pic.twitter.com/EQHSQqAMxT
And there you have it. There may be some more quotes and interviews that come out as the day goes on which we'll update as needed but closing in on two-and-a-half hours, we have plenty of answers from the majority of this roster. The big takeaways certainly revolve around the injuries to the D-core but overall, this group seems optimistic about the future and will take another ECF loss as a painful lesson to further prepare them for achieving the ultimate goal. We'll take a deeper dive into some of these stories as the off-season officially kicks off. In the meantime, hopefully this collection helps with coping that the run has come to an end. (I don't blame you if it doesn't.)