The conversation started innocently enough, with Rangers assistant coach Scott Arniel talking about his team’s good record to start the season despite some subpar play.
“We wanted to do that and get out to a good start, and 6-2-2 is a good start — and that’s probably where the NHL has changed,” Arneil said after his team’s practice on Tuesday. “Because you see teams lose playoff spots early in the year and never get back in.”
So when you see a good man and good coach like Todd Richards get axed in Columbus after an 0-7 start, replaced by the domineering John Tortorella, well, it’s not hard to see the immediacy of this league.