{"id":138510,"date":"2023-06-22T08:30:45","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T12:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=138510"},"modified":"2023-06-21T12:25:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T16:25:33","slug":"the-impact-peter-laviolette-can-have-on-the-young-guys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/06\/22\/the-impact-peter-laviolette-can-have-on-the-young-guys\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact Peter Laviolette Can Have On The Young Guys"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a new sheriff in town. After the New York Rangers dismissed Gerard Gallant<\/a>, a new bench boss was needed. Despite having an Eastern Conference final appearance and two straight 100-point seasons, Chris Drury<\/a> felt the change is needed. Peter Laviolette<\/a> is the new bench boss on Broadway. Is it the right move? Or could it backfire? Laviolette brings a winning pedigree with him. Here is what Head Coach Peter Laviolette’s<\/a> impact can be on the team, specifically the youth. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Impact Of Laviolette On Young Players<\/span><\/h2>\n

This hire is similar to what the Boston Bruins<\/a> did with Jim Montgomery<\/a>. With a unique blend of youth mixed with veterans, getting the younger guys to elevate their games was crucial. You saw multiple young guys in Jake DeBrusk<\/a>, Trent Frederic<\/a>, and Connor Clifton<\/a> enjoy career seasons. This is precisely where Peter Laviolette stands and feels about them on this roster. The two players this will impact the most are Kaapo Kakko<\/a> and Alexis Lafreniere<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Like the Bruins, the Rangers have the perfect blend of youth and veterans. It creates a great mix and competitiveness. You have a veteran core group of Mika Zibanejad<\/a>, Artemi Panarin<\/a>, Chris Kreider<\/a>, and Vincent Trocheck<\/a>. Factoring in the youth of K\u2019Andre Miller, Kakko, Lafreniere, Filip Chytil<\/a>, and even Adam Fox<\/a> and Igor Shesterkin<\/a>. This is a great recipe to work with. It is just about getting the younger players to develop further. <\/span><\/p>\n

Laviolette said,<\/a> “Those young players do need an opportunity to grow,” he said<\/span><\/a> during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “They have to be … given the opportunity to be counted on more. … They want to feel valued with what they do.”<\/span><\/p>\n

If they want more, they can get more, but they will have to work for it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Players’ Wishes Could Be Granted <\/span><\/h3>\n

Upon their first-round exit to the New Jersey Devils, the exit interviews left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. While some players reflected on their time in the Big Apple, others looked forward to the next season. These two players, in particular, were Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere..l<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

"Maybe get some power play time and also play more. That's the next step."<\/p>\n

Kaapo Kakko talks about his growth as a player and what his future goals are: pic.twitter.com\/ReIq1S1OpN<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n