In the world of podcasts, there’s a pretty good one that’s hosted by Rangers beat writer Mollie Walker of the NY Post. Up In The Blue Seats also features NY Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks and former Ranger Brian Boyle.

A couple of days following breakup day on what was one of the most agonizing seasons in recent memory, the trio discussed what went wrong. In particular, Boyle didn’t hold back, criticizing the team and ripping into Mika Zibanejad. A member of the Black and Blueshirts, which was coined by Brooks to describe the hardnosed approach those teams took last decade, Boyle pulled no punches in going after the softest Rangers roster in quite some time.

In response to Brooks asserting that it was the most sensitive group he’s ever been around, Boyle interjected: “They continually got exposed from the start of the season on. And to Larry’s point, this is a soft hockey team. And that’s not what you want to be called. It’s the worst thing you could say.

“And to further Larry’s other point, there’s zero personality on the team. They just botted it up. … You can’t be so hypersensitive that if you make a mistake, you don’t address it. Like, get harder. Physically, mentally, everything.”

Boyle then called out Zibanejad for his lethargic play during an uninspired first half that saw him struggle psychologically. He admitted that all of the noise became a distraction. While that was true, he didn’t come close to giving the kind of consistent effort that was required of him. Instead, he looked lost. His lack of production really hurt the team.

“And if this is the way they want to go and we need more communication with management, I don’t know what Glen Sather’s doing ever,” he pointedly said while raising his voice.

“Coach, tell me what to do and then I’ll try to go do that. You want to give me more stuff? What we’re going to do with the salary cap for next year. Or how we are going to trade this guy and bring this guy up? That’s not your job. Your job is to play center ice and score goals and be a power play guy and you’re a leader. You wear a letter on this team.

It doesn’t matter what management is doing. You can’t worry about that. Worry about your teammates and that’s it. What the coach is telling you to do. And that is it. That’s all you can worry about because it’s hard enough.”

Brooks also summed up how most fans felt watching them. “It was the least enjoyable team that I ever covered. This team just turtled and went into the fetal position whenever any adversity struck. It’s the most sensitive group I’ve been around. Those were the 2024-25 Rangers.”

To catch the full episode, watch it on YouTube below. They went over how bad this team was for an hour. That’s a lot more time than they were worth. Kudos to Walker, Brooks, and Boyle for all the hard work they put in. Unlike the team, they didn’t mail it in.