@BBKers made a great post about the goal totals being projected.
If Hayes and Zucc's ~80 points of production are replaced by 80 points from the breadman, and you have a couple of rookies in KK and Krav that give your 30-35 goals combined, the team is going to be fine offensively.
I think the Rangers are as good as how many quality 25 minute a night games Skjei-Trouba gives you, and a handful of steals from the goalie trio.
I still see this team as having a poor PK, no 4th line roles being filled, and one that will make a lot of young player mistakes with intermittent bouts of consistency.
In other words, a team that misses the playoffs in wildly entertaining and at the same time frustrating fashion.
There are a couple of things I think Gorts and Co could have done to upgrade the team, but did not, which will become evident by January if not sooner.
- Kept Ruff- A guy known for the some of the worst defensive structured teams and coaching for the last what? 15 Years?
- Didn't address 4th line options. I get it- hard to do with the cap constraints and the Trouba & Breadman moves are more important, but still... this is a 4th line you are talking about.
I would say with the development of the kids, the Rangers are 1 firing, and 3-4 roster moves away from the playoffs. Which is a very doable thing by the next trade deadline and off-season.