The New York Rangers are out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it’s clear that things didn’t go as planned this season. While the whole team is probably upset, one player — veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan — is clearly very angry. He didn’t hold back in a recent interview, and his strong words might be a sign of more problems ahead for the Rangers.
de Haan Speaks Out: “It’s F***ed”
Speaking to the New York Post during a practice session on Sunday, de Haan expressed his frustration with how the Rangers have treated him. He said, “How about the way I’ve been treated here? It’s f***ed.” While he didn’t say much more, he did promise to be “very transparent” once the season ends.
This public outburst is rare in the NHL and suggests that things behind the scenes may not be going well. When players speak out like this, it often means they feel ignored or disrespected by team management.
Why is de Haan Angry?
It’s easy to understand why de Haan is upset. Since March 3, he hasn’t played a single game — that’s 18 games in a row. Before joining the Rangers, he was playing limited minutes with the Colorado Avalanche. He was traded to New York on March 1 in a deal that sent Ryan Lindgren to Colorado.
At 33 years old, de Haan is near the end of his NHL career. He’s a free agent after this season, and like any player, he wants to feel valued and useful. Sitting on the sidelines while his team loses games must have been frustrating, especially when he came from a team like the Avalanche that’s doing much better.
What This Means for the Rangers
de Haan’s comments don’t just affect him — they could hurt the Rangers’ reputation. Other NHL players and free agents might see his words and think twice about joining a team that doesn’t seem to treat its players well.
It also puts pressure on Rangers General Manager Chris Drury. If he doesn’t handle this situation quickly and carefully, it could damage team spirit and create more problems during the off-season. No team wants to be known for having unhappy players.
What’s Next for de Haan?
de Haan probably knows he won’t get a big role on a new team next season. He might just be a backup or depth player. Still, he clearly feels he was treated unfairly, and he doesn’t seem worried about speaking his mind.
If the Rangers had plans to re-sign him, he likely would have stayed quiet. But since he’s letting his anger out now, it seems like he’s ready to move on — and maybe wants others to know how things went wrong in New York.
Calvin de Haan’s outburst is a wake-up call for the New York Rangers. Whether or not he’s right, the fact that a player feels so hurt and ignored says a lot. And when things like this go public, it can hurt the team’s image — especially with fans and future players watching. Chris Drury and the Rangers must handle this carefully before the situation gets worse. Ignoring it might lead to even more backlash once the season ends.
It’s clear that no player is bigger than the team, but how a team treats its players matters. Respect, communication, and fairness go a long way — not just in keeping players happy, but in building a winning team culture for the future.
