After Jimmy Vesey told The Post’s Larry Brooks on Thursday that he “feels like I have no role or purpose” on the Rangers, head coach Peter Laviolette said Friday he speaks with individual players consistently — including Vesey — and hasn’t ruled out playing him or anyone else.
“I talk to players all the time,” Laviolette said when asked about Vesey’s comments. “I talked to Jimmy [on Thursday] before he addressed you guys.”
Vesey hasn’t been used the past nine games and has played in just 26 games this season after playing 80 games last year, Laviolette’s first behind the bench with the Rangers.
“Jimmy is an important piece of this team,” Laviolette said. “He’s proven that. Right now, we’ve gone with this lineup, and like all the players that aren’t in there, we just ask them to keep working hard. We’re more than confident in our team and their abilities to come in and make a difference.”
Laviolette added he’s made those lineup decisions with one thing in mind as the Rangers try to secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“Right now, it’s about winning hockey games,” Laviolette said. “It’s not about, ‘We’re going to make this move for this reason.’ It’s every day, putting the lineup we want to put in, and it’s not to slight anybody. … It’s about the lineup for that day to get two points.”
Laviolette declined to say Friday who would be in Saturday’s lineup, and that was prior to Friday night’s trade of Filip Chytil to Vancouver.
Even before the deal, it appeared newcomer Arthur Kaliyev might be scratched Saturday in Boston, as Jonny Brodzinski took reps with Chris Kreider and Chytil.
The line, which had included Kaliyev and Chtil, as well as Kreider, hadn’t been especially productive.
Brodzinski is among the players, including Vesey and Zac Jones, who hasn’t played much of late, with Brodzinski’s last appearance coming Jan. 11.
K’Andre Miller and Will Borgen have been solid since being paired together.
“I think they’re both big and skate well and move the puck,” Laviolette said. “They’re bigger bodies, use their size and have been a good pair.”
The duo have been used as the team’s second defensive pairing, getting tasked with shutting down top opposing lines. Borgen was acquired in the deal that sent Kaapo Kakko to Seattle in December.
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