Rangers Daily: Blueshirts culture change; Epic rant by Blue Jackets coach

Q: What did James Dolan say about changing the Rangers' team culture?

James Dolan stated that changing a team's culture takes time and emphasized the importance of patience and belief among players.

Q: How did injuries to Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox affect the Rangers' season?

Injuries to Shesterkin and Fox led to a significant decline in the Rangers' performance, causing them to drop to last place in the Eastern Conference.

Q: What steps are being taken to improve the Rangers' team culture?

Coach Mike Sullivan and GM Chris Drury are focused on fostering a positive culture, a major shift from the previous season when it was a significant issue.

Q: What is the Rangers' current strategy for building their team?

The Rangers are retooling by building a younger talent base while continuing to improve their team culture.

Three months ago, New York Rangers owner James Dolan said during an WFAN radio interview that changing the culture on a team or entire organization takes time. He did this to express his support and confidence in first-year Rangers coach Mike Sullivan, as well Chris Drury, their general manager since 2021.

“You have to be patient. The team has to jell together. They have to see that they can win. They have to believe in themselves,” Dolan said at the time. “I think the team from last year didn’t really believe in themselves. So, installing that kind of culture — and hockey is even harder because there are more players, right? — that’s going to take a while.”

In the same interview, Dolan warned not to overlook his team in the playoff race, too. Of course, you know the punchline already — Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox each sustained a lower-body injury Jan. 5 against the Utah Mammoth and missed the next month of games. The Rangers cratered without them, and sunk to last place in the Eastern Conference, which is where they’ll finish after their final game of the 2025-26 season is completed Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

But importantly, the Rangers are not a last-place team because of a poor culture within the locker room and player ranks. Drury and Sullivan worked hard at spinning that 180 degrees from 2024-25, when culture was a massive reason the Rangers missed the playoffs. That’s a major step forward.

The bigger issue now is that the Rangers simply don’t have enough quality NHL talent nor depth. Drury’s “retool” is now all about building a younger talent base, while fostering the improved culture.

In a way, this is a set-up to get to Rick Bowness’ epic rant after the Columbus Blue Jackets closed out their season with a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, completing a 2-8-1 face-plant since March 26, which took them out of the playoff hunt.

The 70-year-old, who’s coached 840 regular-season NHL games for nine teams and another 59 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, erupted in an emotional tirade against the Blue Jackets after their no-show in a meaningless game with no playoff implications Tuesday because it showed the deep issues which were exposed in their late-season collapse.

“Just look at the stat sheet: Three hits, 23 giveaways. I don’t know if I’m back [as coach next season], but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture,” Bowness ranted. “These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. How can you go out and play like that?”

That is damning commentary about your team, one Bowness inherited back in January, when he replaced Dean Evason as coach. The Blue Jackets responded by winning 10 of the first 11 games under Bowness, and a stunning 18-2-4 mark to vault right into the playoff race.

So, what changed and exposed this culture issue Bowness referred to?

“Because it got tough. Because it got hard. Like we talked about after the Olympic break: It’s going to get harder. So everything’s good as long as it’s going their way. And now it gets tough and we don’t want to battle back,” he explained.

Yikes. Sound somewhat familiar, Blueshirts Faithful?

Watch the entire rant and see the fire and venom spewing from Bowness. Never saw Peter Laviolette nor Gerard Gallant that angry, at least not publicly.

And be thankful that the Rangers recognized their culture issues and appear to be on a better path in that area. Not perfect. Better. Now, just find more talent for the roster.

Rangers news and analysis

NHL: New York Rangers at Florida Panthers

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The latest Rink Rap podcast is all about Jonathan Quick — his retirement, the impact he made on and off the ice with the Rangers, and how they adequately replace him with the next No. 2 and No. 3 goalies in the organization behind Shesterkin. And, yes, there’s plenty about where Dylan Garand fits in the goalie picture.

Friends and foes alike shared their appreciation for Quick and his “brilliant career” after his final NHL game.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s next for the Rangers’ goaltender situation moving forward after Quick’s retirement.

You should check out Jess Rubenstein’s excellent stock report on the 13 Rangers prospects playing North America. Some surprises from who he believes is trending up, and which ones are trending the other direction.

NHL news and rumors

NHL: Washington Capitals at Columbus Blue Jackets

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NHL.com: Alex Ovechkin played the final game of his 21st NHL season Tuesday. But was it the last in his storied Hall of Fame career? Ovi’s not sure, but did say postgame, “I hope it’s not my last game.” Tom Gulitti with the story.

TSN: On that latest Insider Trading, Chris Johnston reports that Aleksander Barkov may play for Finland at the World Championship after missing the entire NHL season with torn knee ligaments.

Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos breaks down where certain teams are in regards to front office decisions, including if the Canucks retain president Jim Rutherford and/or general manager Patrik Allvin.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders capped a season-ending collapse with their seventh loss in eight games, falling to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Our John Kreiser has the key Islanders takeaways, including Bo Horvat’s 300th NHL goal, Victor Eklund’s asolid HHL debut, and possibly the last game with the Islanders for captain Anders Lee.

TSN: They may be at the bottom of the League standings, but the Vancouver Canucks believe they came together as a team down the stretch and better days are ahead.

Montreal Hockey Now: A loss in their season finale means the Canadiens conceded home-ice advantage in their first-round playoff series to the Lightning.

Colorado Hockey Now: Cale Makar returned fully healthy to the Avalanche lineup and had three assists Tuesday, just one of Aarif Deen’s key takeaways for the latest win by the Presidents’ Trophy champs.

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