This is the first time im going to dissect this season since they've lost and i've "cooled" down a bit.
I think the most glaring thing for the Rangers is to get deeper, or should I say "trustworthy". Almost the entire Boston series and even at times in the Washington one, the Rangers looked beat up, tired, run down, lethargic at times. It's probably because Tortorella ran the nucleus of this team into the ground.
When you watch what the Bruins did, and all of the other Elite 8 in the playoffs, they looked 5X fresher then the Rangers. Yet somehow the Rangers muster up a performance and gut it out which is indicative of their character. But its not a smart move organizationally. Tortorella in particular needs to change his approach and needs to realize you can't overplay key players if you want to go anywhere in the playoffs. They are gassed by the second round. And this was in a HALF-SEASON.
Part of the blame falls on Glen, so its two-fold. I've felt that the Rangers have been an overachieving team in large part due to effort. Guys like Hagelin, Callahan, Girardi - they all exemplify that but over the course of the season you can't live just effort alone. Some nights (and as you get older its gets harder and harder) you just don't have it. There's a fine balance there.
So i think Sather needs to make smart decisions with his signings and buyouts to provide Tortorella with more speed, skill, depth and therefore more trust. He needs to deepen the blue-line, because who knows whats in store for Staal longterm. Torts needs to readjust himself similar to Coach Coughlin with the Giants in 2007. Hell have a full camp to do what he needs to do, but i feel like he needs to reinvent himself a little bit, and maybe open up the system to keep things fresh and the players engaged.
Gotta be concerned about Biron. He's going to get more work next year but didn't play at all this season (6 games). It's likely to be his last season, but I don't think you can go into the season blindly thinking hell recapture the form that he had in 2011-12 (21 games). I think it would be wise for management to make sure they have a suitable 3rd string in the system, or go out and get one to be groomed for 14-15. (Not to mention the slim chance that Henrik decides to play somewhere else)...
I think the Rangers have some good pieces and some players will benefit from a full camp. I'm really excited about Brassard and hoping he stays consistent. Stepan was fantastic and needs to continue to grow. I think Boyle will have a better year and is more valuable then some make him out to be, especially when he slots into a 4th line role - where he needs to be. The Rangers need to make some smart moves to surround the middle of this team with speed, and not be afraid to get rid of some of the deadwood.
I just want a plan from a personnel standpoint, that matches the coaching techniques moving forward. And for christssake, fix the ****ing powerplay. Just bring it to normalcy. If the rangers had a NORMAL powerplay, they score 5-7 more goals in the playoffs. They beat Washington in less then 7. They could be playing a Game 7 tonight. Bring in someone to coach the PP. I dont care if Torts doesnt want another coach. Hes got one of the best goalie coaches in the world who dedicates time to one important facet of the game. I see no reason to not do the same for special teams. I put the complete blame on Sather if this doesnt happen. Management needs to recognize its weaknesses, and address them appropriately. They've tried everything so im sure bringing in a specialist isnt going to make an already dreadful powerplay worse.
