Best case Rangers win the lottery and have no qualms about keeping the ‘25 pick and moving the ‘26 pick to Pittsburgh.
Unfortunately the more and more I think about the Rangers needs and issues it’s going to take a LOT to go right to be a contender again next year:
- Front office stability: Is Dolan committed to Drury? Does Drury know how to build a contender? I think Dolan is willing to give Drury at least 1 more season to prove himself but it’s going to be a short leash after going thru 3 coaches and showing inability to get over the hump.
I question Drury’s competence in building a contender and more importantly creating a winning culture. His antics this past year have to have ruined the vibes and lost him some credibility with the team. He needs to settle down and not put the team on blast publicly. Also, his evaluation of defenseman is piss poor.
- Coaching. I think everyone knows Laviolette is on his last days. Do we replace him with a win-now coach (Quennville, Tortorella) or a younger, unproven coach that may better develop the youth? I would love to see the Rangers go a different direction than the same old retreads but I can’t see it. Honestly it would almost be too perfect for Rangers to go with Quennville and bring even more unnecessary distractions to the team.
- Goaltending: Igor is a proud guy and I have faith he can rebound with a better defensive structure in front oh him. I have a little less faith in Quick as he’s getting up there in age. Hopefully the team signs another depth netminder and gives Garand some rope if he continues improving.
- Defense: Fox is a lock to stay. I think Schneider and Miller probably are worth keeping around but we need a coaching staff to help them simplify their decision making. They have the wheels and offensive toolkit to contribute more but need to be encouraged to rush the puck and simplify the game defensively.
Borgen and Jones: May be a solid bottom pair defensemen. Jones might blossom now that he’s gotten an extended run but again he needs a coaching staff that believes in him. Borgen adds physicality that the FO loves.
Vaikkaneinen, Soucy, De Haan, other vets: Move on. They aren’t part of a winning team.
Prospects: Emery is not a long term solution due to his nonextistant offense. If we can move him we should.
We need at least 1 more top pair/ top 4 defenseman. If we can sign a Provovov, Schmidt, Gavrikov or someone at that level that would go a long way towards solidifying the defense.
- Forwards:
Panarin: Keeper. I think FO is committed to making a run ASAP and he’s currently our most dangerous offensive weapon. If we start to falter again next year and are looking at a full rebuild then we should consider moving him out to restock the farm but I would love to see him lead the team on deep playoff runs.
Kreider: Goner. Hes had his share of memorable moments but he’s been checked out for too long and we need the cap space. At his best he was one of a kind - big, strong, fast, great shot, amazing hands in front of the net but his inconsistency in asserting himself always left me wanting more.
Zibanejad: Goner (if we can find a taker). His lack of physical engagement / involvement and passiveness when it comes to shooting are pathetic. He used to want to dominate games but he’s become a passenger and again we need the cap space. If we can move him without taking on any toxic contracts or retaining too much we have to do it. Otherwise shift him to the wing.
Miller / Trocheck: Both of them must know we need more from them and I can see them coming in next year to set a no nonsense environment. Hopefully they are able to command the room and deliver. They are Drury’s boys so I can’t see him moving on from either.
Lafreniere: So disappointed in him. He has been riding off a few great shifts when he shows off his offensive talent. Signed his extension Oct 25th. 70 games, 35 points, and -18 since 10/26.
Too many shifts he does a fly by forecheck, coasts back to the defensive zone and then goes for a lackadaisical change. Even in the offensive zone I rarely see him try to beat a defender one on one or do anything more than just swing the puck around. He rarely displays the puck skills, skating or talent to make a difference on the scoresheet. Yes he scores at 5v5 but more so he’s the benefactor of his line setting him up rather than creating opportunities for himself.
I am really really really hoping he gets a spring in his step and some of Miller’s tenacity rubs off on him. At his best he carries the puck with ease and drives to the net consistently and engages physically. Otherwise I think this contract can become an albatross quickly and wouldn’t be opposed to moving him for a young cost controlled center if we have a chance.
Perrault/ Berard/ Rempe / Edstrom / Cuylle / Othmann: Need to put them in a spot to develop and get more and more reps.
Carrick / Brodzinski: Move on from them. They aren’t long term solutions and while they provide some veteran cover for the youngsters in the bottom 6 if we can recoup any assets at all we should do so. Carrick is great but for a 4C he’s undersized and Brodzinski doesn’t do enough to move the needle.
Sign an impact UFA to strengthen and bolster the top 6. I wouldn’t be opposed to Marner, Ehlers, Bennett, or Marchand (at the right price).
Overall Rangers need more impact players, allow the youth time to learn and grow, and move on from the vets that aren’t living up their roles and cap hits. This is going to be a HUGE summer. With draft lottery luck, the right coaching hire, and shrewd trades and signings we can go back to being a contender but unfortunately I don’t have too much faith in this team. Let’s hope they prove me wrong.
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www.eliteprospects.com
point being is we will know our draft position before we have to decide whether or not to give it to Pittsburgh.
