Bantering Points: 4/14/25

Here are today's news and links:

From Blueshirt Banter:

Eric Kohn offered his thoughts on Saturday's defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes that eliminated the Rangers from playoff contention (BSB)

Roberto Solis-Byxbee reports that Braden Schneider will miss the final two games of the season with an upper-body injury, with Matthew Robertson being recalled to skate in his place (BSB)

Chris Feldman relays word of Calvin de Haan's comments expressing frustration at his lack of playing time since arriving from Colorado at the trade deadline (BSB)

Rangers News:

Mollie Walker examines how the Rangers became the fourth team in league history, and the first since the 2014-15 Boston Bruins, to miss the playoffs one year after winning the Presidents Trophy (NY Post)

Walker also noted Peter Laviolette's comments upon being asked about his job security following a disastrous second season behind the Blueshirts' bench (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson sees the anger expressed by de Haan, a player who arrived in New York less than two months ago, as one symptom of a larger sense of unhappiness surrounding the team (Newsday)

Conor Power reminisces in the initial Alexei Kovalev trade between the Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins and the trade tree that spawned from that deal (The Hockey Writers)

Stan Fischler hands out his report card grades for the Blueshirts' players now that the team is done playing meaningful hockey for the season (The Hockey News)

Peter Baugh discussed de Haan's comments as the veteran defender approaches his final days as a Ranger (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

The Minnesota Wild agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with defense Zeev Buium, the 12th-overall pick in the 2024 Entry Draft, that begins immediately (TSN)

For all of the rich history the four American teams in the Original Six share, the Rangers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Chicago Blackhawks picked up the dubious distinction of all missing the playoffs in the same season for the first time (NBC Sports)

For a fourth-consecutive season, the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers will clash in the Pacific Division 2/3 matchup in the first round playoffs (Sportsnet)