Rangers once known as ‘The Kids’ have each grown into different roles
NY Post
They were the darlings of the unexpected 2022 run to the conference finals, more famous as a unit than as individuals.
They were The Kids.
But two years later, they are more popularly identified simply as Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, young hockey players at distinct junctures of their respective careers even as the Rangers do this all over again.
No longer a singular sensation.
They are separate and unequal.
Lafreniere is ascendant and a dynamic top-six fixture. Chytil is seeking to get back in the lineup after encountering yet another physical issue. Kakko is on the third line, playing solid, responsible two-way hockey but with limited offensive production.
PORT ST. LUCIE — For now, Craig Kimbrel is choosing Mets purgatory.
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Almost a year to the day after a goaltender interference call against Kyle Palmieri lost the Islanders a game against the Blue Jackets that started their season’s death spiral, they were on the wrong end of another controversial call against those same Blue Jackets that might have had the same effect.
On the Queens side of town, the reno began in earnest almost as soon as Francisco Lindor grounded into the 4-6-3 double play. That ended a 4-0 loss before a rare sizable crowd at Miami’s loanDepot Park last Sept. 27, all of them there to witness the final death rattles of an epic baseball calamity.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is being paid handsomely for his breakout season.
Next comes the harder part. Mostly because it can’t get any easier.
It was Kids Day at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, but for the Rangers, it’s been All About The Kids for months.
PORT ST. LUCIE — From the moment he was told he needed surgery on his left hamate bone, Francisco Lindor fixated on the recovery time. Trainers provided the Mets shortstop a six-week pathway to return to play, and Lindor was determined to hit every marker.
Dylan Garand knew the number off the top of his head. He knew that, between the regular season and playoffs, he’d logged over 160 games with AHL Hartford, and he was right. Before the Rangers recalled him Friday, Garand had served as the Wolf Pack’s goaltender 165 times.
SAN DIEGO — As you may have seen elsewhere in this newspaper (and also if you haven’t deleted me yet from your social media), I have a book coming out Tuesday called “The Bosses of The Bronx.” Much of it details the 37 years’ worth of antics, winning, losing, winning again and overall mania of George Steinbrenner’s time with the Yankees.
Don’t close the curtain on “Mean” Joe Greene.
The Knicks are on a five-game winning streak and flooded with concerns.