most of our young forwards and LD are big...the fact that they are still basically teenagers doesn't mean that we ignored this need.
and tampa was known as SOFT until this year. their skilled players weren't known for being physical. they got swept last year by columbus and everyone said that they got punched in the mouth and crumbled cause they were soft. and then they went out and completely changed the role players on their team. NONE of the skilled players changed, but they added better and tougher support and that made the team tougher.
a year ago you would have been using tampa as the example of the type of team we need to avoid and then they did exactly what we are talking about doing...
and NO ONE is saying adding goons that can't play...but there is no arguing that middle 6 depth is easier to get that elite talent.
Tampa definitely improved their roster, but having insane depth, a great D, and a franchise goalie helped more. When a talent like Cirelli is that low on a depth chart, you're loaded.
When Kucherov, arguably their best player, can play physically, it helps. The maturation of their D, which is huge, physical, and mobile, has been their biggest improvement, to me.
Rangers fans are hoping that Miller becomes a talented, physical D. We are far from sure about that happening and it might be a while. Lindgren has the right attitude, but he needs to get a lot stronger. He often got overpowered in the crease.
Unless your talented players can play physically, you're going nowhere. The current Rangers roster, both at forward and D, fall woefully short of that. Fast leaving will make it worse.
Smart moves will help, but the Cap won't. Gorton is going to have to get creative and take chances by dealing some assets away.
I believe the Rangers are a Cup contender next season if just a few improvements happen, so it's not like I'm unhappy with the direction of the franchise.