Defenseman Calvin de Haan expressed frustration about his treatment by the New York Rangers since being acquired on March 1.
While passing reporters before Sunday’s on-ice session, de Haan said: “How about the way I’ve been treated here? It’s f—-d,” according to New York Post Sports’ Mollie Walker.
The 33-year-old has been a healthy scratch for 18 consecutive games.
De Haan has appeared in just three games for the Rangers following the trade from the Colorado Avalanche, where he played 44 games this season.
After speaking with Rangers PR following his ice session, de Haan opted to wait until season’s end before addressing media, per Walker.
The veteran defenseman later addressed the situation on social media.
“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,” de Haan wrote on X. “After playing three 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 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.”
De Haan will become a pending unrestricted free agent this summer.
The defenseman has played 679 NHL games across 13 seasons.
