Media Bytes: Identity Crisis, Sullivan, Perreault
Playoff team or not? This week's Media Bytes digs into the Rangers' murky identity, Sullivan's fit, and a last-place front office ranking.
Welcome back to Media Bytes, a weekly column from Blueshirt Banter. Every Sunday, we’ll help you start the week right with a quick catch-up on the latest stories and developments around the New York Rangers and the broader NHL media landscape.
The full version of Media Bytes is for Blueshirt Banter members only. To read the full thing and get it delivered to your inbox every Sunday, become a member at Blueshirt Banter today.
Identity Crisis
1. Jonny Lazarus joined Blueshirts Breakaway this week to discuss expectations for the upcoming season. The conversation was wide-ranging, but it began with Lazarus pushing back on the narrative that many fans view him as the "face" of the club on Twitter—and are therefore frustrated that he's not more bullish on the Rangers' outlook heading into the new year.
"I know the Rangers have made good moves in a vacuum," he said. "[Those moves] leave the team in a better position than when the season ended, but they're still not a good hockey team."
Lazarus went on to suggest the Rangers occupy an uncomfortable middle ground, where it's difficult to determine just how good—or bad—they might be.
"I don't think they're a playoff team, but I don't think they're not a playoff team," he continued. "I won't be surprised if they make it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't. That's what makes the position they're in so scary. They're not good or bad.
"What are they?" he asked rhetorically.
Greg Kaplan agreed, suggesting the Rangers are currently a "team without an identity," even if they appear to be in the process of building one.
