Not that I blame them, but the Blueshirts talk optimistically about a revival because that's what they're supposed to do but we – feet firmly on the ground – take their "talkin' the talk" with two grains of salt and a glass of Ovaltine.
What matters about Rangers futures is what independent NHL thinkers have to say. One such Wise Man is Joltin' Joe Dionisio, former Newsday columnist. Now running the Hockey Program at Santa Barbara's Ice In Paradise rink, Joe D does not hold back.
"Most of the Rangers' challenges are mental," says Dionisio who points a pinky at Mike Sullivan. "If the coach can cultivate a better attitude from his players, they'll behave better on the ice.
"If Sully can quell the bad locker-room karma lingering from Trouba, Goodrow and the like, he might well steer his club back on course."
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/how-the-rangers-compare-to-the-islanders-and-devilsJoe does not wear NHL blinders. He knows all about the Mika Zibanejad "You-can't-trade-me" issues and Iggy Shesterkin's bumpy-slumpy play last season.
Dr. Dionisio doesn't care if The Mighty Mika has Blue Cross or not, Jultin' Joe has the prescription.
"Zibanejad was mentally fatigued from his pedestal as whipping boy," Dionisio argues. "The coach needs to play shrink and rebuild Z's confidence. If he can do that, it would be a huge boost.
"As for Shesterkin, Sully has to find a cure – same as for Alexis Lafrenière – for what ails them. I diagnose it as 'Bloated Contract Syndrome.'’
Hustling back to his real job, Joltin' leans on that legendary catcher-philosopher Yogi Berra for a cool thought: "Hockey is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical!"