It is hard to believe that we are only at the beginning of August and that hockey season is still somewhat far away.
We diehards always love reading, Tweeting, and discussing hockey. One such hockey personality who is great at all of those things is Jonny Lazarus.
“Lazzy” last spoke with us at the end of June regarding his experience covering the Stanley Cup Final, his thoughts on what the Rangers need to do to get better, and what he is hoping to accomplish when it comes to his career in hockey media. Well, I decided to bring him back to get his thoughts on all things Blueshirts, as well as the news that he shared on LinkedIn a few weeks ago that he quit his full-time job to pursue his dream of covering hockey for a living.
I hope you enjoy this because Lazzy has become one of my favorite personalities in hockey. He works hard, he knows the game inside and out, he is authentic, and he is passionate about the sport.
Here you go!
PH: The last time we chatted was a week before the draft and start of free agency. As such, let’s begin with the draft. Tell us about the team’s first-round pick Gabriel Perreault. A lot of hockey folks are saying that Perreault is an absolute steal for the Blueshirts. Would you agree?
JL: From everything that I have gathered, it definitely appears that Perreault was a steal. It is rare to find a player that led a team in points while also setting records and being picked behind other teammates.
Perreault seems like a great kid, he comes from a hockey family, and I am super excited to watch him develop at Boston College over the next few years.
PH: The Rangers made some interesting moves on the first day of free agency. To start, what are your thoughts on the signing of Blake Wheeler? How could he end up being a big contributor to this year’s Blueshirts?
JL: I think getting Blake Wheeler at the price that the Rangers did is a low-risk, high-reward move. Although Wheeler does not make the team any younger or faster, he brings that physical element that this team was lacking mightily up front last season.
Wheeler is a guy that people don’t like playing against, and he still has some game left in him, according to his former teammates.
PH: Jonathan Quick is also now a Ranger. How do you think he could end up helping the team? What do you think it means to him to be playing for the team he grew up rooting for?
JL: I always think it is special when someone comes home to play, no matter the age. Quick has essentially accomplished everything there is to do in the game of hockey, so he will be that calming locker room presence.
Igor Shesterkin has shown a bit of frustration over the past year, so having Quick be there in times of need can only be a positive, in my opinion.
PH: The team also agreed to a two-year deal with K’Andre Miller. What does he have to do in order to earn a long-term contract and to show the team that he can be counted upon to keep getting better?
JL: If money were not an issue right now, I think K’Andre Miller would have been locked up long-term. Unfortunately for him, the organization is a bit strapped right now, but Miller is a guy who continues to improve each year and exceed expectations.
I have no doubt that this will lead to a long-term deal for him once this contract expires.
PH: You also broke some news on yourself on LinkedIn a few weeks ago, as you said you left your full-time job at Sinclair Sports Group to pursue a full-time career in hockey media. What did that feel like it? Scary? Liberating?
JL: It has been a little scary, for sure, but certainly liberating. I am a guy that loves to stay busy, so having this downtime in the summer gives me a little bit of anxiety, but with that said, I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can because I know once the season starts, it will be non-stop.
I think it is always a little hard when you go all in and bet on yourself, but I felt that if I did not do it now, I never would.
PH: Wherever you end up covering the game, will you be bringing your hockey fandom and, as you mentioned in our last email interview, “genuine self” with you? Why or why not?
JL: Of course. I always try to be genuine in everything that I do.
Obviously, there are certain moments where I have to be a bit more professional than others, depending on which outlet I am covering the game for, but my overall mindset is always having fun first. My parents always emphasized that sports should be about having fun, and that is the message that I try to spread in everything that I do.
PH: Is there anything else you would like to share with us hockey fans?
JL: Nothing to share as of now, but working on making some fun things happen for this upcoming season!
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