Rangers' Player Issues Statement After Franchise Criticism Goes Viral

De Haan addressed his early comments on X, writing that he had hoped to express his thoughts in a full media scrum instead of having his quote circulate instantly on the internet.

"Going to get ahead of this now…," de Haan wrote. "I was hoping that I would have been able to express in a scrum setting versus a quote as I was going onto the ice and having it on the Internet 30 seconds later. 

"I said what I said because I am frustrated, and any competitor who says that they would be happy in this position would be lying to you. After playing 3 games for the team and going 2-0-1 , I thought I maybe would have got an opportunity to jump into the lineup and help win some games.

"Did I help win those games I played, maybe? Maybe not? But we still won and collected some crucial points to climb the standings. I understand the youth movement in the nhl, and I’m getting older in hockey years and I may not play every single night. I feel like I can still contribute and help teams win. I know I’m not going to play 20 minutes a night in the role I’ve been in the past few years , but again I feel like I can still keep up and help a team in certain facets of the game. 

"I’m not trying to be the villain or gain attention or throw shade on the organization , I would have preferred a scrum setting to chat about how my time with the rangers has gone. As a player you have to respect the lineup decisions whether you like them or not, it’s just been frustrating not being able to compete and do what I love to do. I hope everyone understands."

According to the New York Post, Rangers PR spoke with de Haan following the incident, and both sides agreed that the defenseman would hold off on further comments until after the season.

De Haan has scored eight points (all of them assists) in 47 games this year. The Rangers went 2–0–1 in his three appearances with the team.

The veteran defenseman admitted he hoped his early results would earn him more opportunities, which hasn't been the case.

De Haan hasn't played since March 5, and the Rangers were eliminated from contention following Saturday's loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.