New York Rangers: Five steps that can be taken to be a playoff team in 18-19
When the word “rebuild” is thrown around, the first question people ask is when the team can be back in the playoff picture. The New York Rangers want to get back soon. Here is how they could do that:
The New York Rangers have quite a road ahead of them. It’s the road back to the playoffs.
Despite the Rangers position in the standings right now, being six points out of a playoff position, the goal should be looking for deals that will help the team build for future seasons.
When Jeff Gorton released a letter to the fans stating the teams intentions, plans were set. Jeff Gorton and Glen Sather appear to have a great strategy to make the Rangers better than ever before.
The steps of going from rebuilding to contending are not set in stone. However, it can certainly be made easier depending on the team, and the state of the league. The Rangers have had a few issues over the last few seasons and addressing those issues can propel the Rangers to a cup final
Defense first
For seasons, the New York Rangers have struggled on the back-end. The Rangers have had players like Nick Holden, Dan Girardi, Dan Boyle, and Steve Kampfer in recent years. For every top pair back-end player the Rangers have had, they have had a pair of lower quality defensemen. Plaguing the Rangers for seasons, the defense has slashed the Rangers chances of winning constantly.
In order to rebuild the invaluable blueline, the Rangers should invest deeply in a strong, young puck moving defenseman. Some defensemen who come to mind taken in the recent draft are players like Timothy Liljegren, or Erik Brannstrom. Both of these defensemen were passed over by the Rangers in the 2017 draft.
The cost may be high, however, acquiring a highly talented puck-moving defensemen would benefit the Rangers offensively. A large portion of the Rangers defensive blunders come from extremely poor turnovers. A more talented two-way defender may assist in preventing those turnovers.
Scoring second
A secondary issue that has presented itself to the Rangers this season is the wildly inconsistent scoring depth. The Rangers leading points scorers are Mats Zuccarello, J.T. Miller, and Pavel Buchnevich. Players such as Michael Grabner and Rick Nash lead the team in goals, first and second respectively. Despite the spread of points amongst the team, they have lost 13 games this season by only one goal. And oh, by the way, both of their top goal scorers are going to be off the roster by next Monday night.
A great way to shakeup the team and rebuild in this field is to re-amp the forward group. The NHL is moving in a new direction becoming an even faster game. The Rangers would benefit from finding some players with speed. Combining speed with some size and defensive responsibility (think Kevin Hayes, and Jesper Fast) will drive the Rangers even further.
However, in order to accomodate these new moves, the Rangers will need to move or let go of players like Rick Nash, David Desharnais, Cody Mcleod, and perhaps Paul Carey.
Successful draft
The New York Rangers have a hit-or-miss history with drafting players. Whether it is trading away all their first round picks in a group of win now moves, or making some highly questionable picks. There are a pair of picks that hurt Rangers fans a bit more than others.
The Rangers selected Hugh Jessiman over Zach Parise, Shea Weber, and Patrice Bergeron in 2003 and Dylan McIlrath over Russian superstar Vladimir Tarasenko in 2010.
If it was not for some blunders in the place of draft picks, the Rangers may not have needed to make some sketchy trades for scorers or big name centers (Looking at you, Eric Staal).
The Rangers need to make picks that will make the team as a whole significantly better. Assuming the first two steps have been taken, the Rangers should look to acquire either a fast, skilled forward, or a highly touted, lock-down defensemen.
Coaching transformation
This season, has to be the last for the Rangers coaching staff.
Time and time again, head coach Alain Vigneault has proven that he is incapable of adapting his team in any situation. This was made most clear in the series against the Ottawa Senators.
Vigneault allowed his bottom pairings playing time in very critical moments of the game. However, the defensive pairs could not stay up to the challenge. This misappropriation of playing time cost the Rangers the series.
With Alain Vigneault to be sacked in accordance to these steps, his assistant coaches would need to be tossed as well, except Benoit Allaire. Lindy Ruff and Scott Arniel have not played a sufficient role in changing the coaching culture for Vigneault. Especially with the later arrival of Ruff, some notable changes could have occured. Despite Ruff’s arrival, changes did not come.
To take care of the issue at hand, the Rangers should let Alain Vigneault, Lindy Ruff, and Scott Arniel go. A new coach could breath fire in a new season, albeit temporary.
Contractual caper
The final step in the New York Rangers fast paced rebuild, is the restructuring of the contracts of the Rangers. The Rangers will be making moves of players like Rick Nash and Michael Grabner. If the Rangers receive picks or players for either of these players and then they end up signing back in New York in the off-season, it will have been worth it.
You can expect the price of Nash to drop sharply. It would be asking for a bit much if Nash commanded more than $4,000,000. Grabner, however, may command a bit more than his current contract. Grabner, sitting right around $1.5 million might be able to get away with a $3,000,000 or $4,000,000 contract.
With the contracts of Paul Carey and Cody McLeod expiring along Grabner and Nash this season, it should be expected that at least two of those four are not in the picture.
Next: New York Rangers Trade Deadline Rankings
The New York Rangers have a lot of work to do to get into a playoff shape team for next season, however it is not out of reach.