New York Rangers’ complete off-season plan 2017

May 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) moves the puck ahead of Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) moves the puck ahead of Pittsburgh Penguins center Matt Cullen (7) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

There are many moves the New York Rangers need to make this offseason. Here are some steps that Jeff Gorton can take this summer to make this team a contender.

The New York Rangers’ 16-17 season was a weird one because it can justifiably be viewed as both a success and a failure. A success because a lot of the ‘experts’ had the team missing the playoffs in their entirety and a failure because many believed that they were a better team than the Ottawa Senators, the team that ousted them in the second round of the playoffs.

Regardless of which side you fall on, I think we can all agree that the Rangers are not quite at contender status just yet and have some work they need to do this offseason so they can get there. Above all else, the defense needs a tremendous facelift. There are many ways to give it the rejuvenation that it desperately needs while also allowing the team’s strength, it’s forward depth, to remain intact.

Here are five steps the Rangers can take to achieve this goal.

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