New York Rangers: Five Rangers with the most to lose this season.

With the rebuild officially in full motion, the New York Rangers have some players playing with pretty high stakes.

Last season marked the first season that the New York Rangers would be rebuilding in quite a few years. General Manager Jeff Gorton obviously took a serious look into the roster of the the team and began the process of “trimming the fat”. Making multiple notable moves to acquire younger, more efficient players.

Several players remain on the roster with questions surrounding their value to the rebuild.

The Rangers have clearly decided to focus on a strong youth movement, and older players seem to be in a slightly perilous position with the team as of now.

Entering training camp, the Rangers have approximately 20 forwards and 11 defensemen with a real shot at making the opening night roster. There’s going to be a huge roster crunch.

Which players on the Rangers have the most to lose this year?

Brendan Smith

After coming to the Rangers in 2016-17, Brendan Smith made quite a name for himself in the 30 games he played for the team in the regular season and postseason. Smith took to playing solid minutes with the Rangers in his first 30 games, averaging about 20 minutes a game.

Becoming something of a workhorse for the back-end in New York, Smith demonstrated solid defensive play along with some excellent physicality. His game helped push a stuttering Rangers defense into the playoffs and nearly got them to a conference final for the third time in Alain Vigneault’s tenure.

However, in 2017-18 Smith came into training camp out of shape and seemingly unprepared to play at all. His play clearly suffered, playing ultimately slower and being scratched for a larger portion of the season. In Feburary, Smith was put on waivers.

As disappointing Smith and his season had become by this point, it was about to get a lot worse.

In late March, Larry Brooks reported that Smith had broken his hand in practice in a fight with teammate Vinni Lettieri. This ended the season for Smith, and left much to be desired.

If Smith does not come back ready to play, it is very possible we will not be seeing much more of the physical back-ender. Even after signing a big contract with the Rangers, he must prove he belongs on the team.

Marc Staal

Perhaps one of the largest defensive pariahs on the New York Rangers the past few years has been Marc Staal.

Since the harrowing eye injury Staal suffered in 2013, his play has declined at a slow and painful rate.

Right after the injury, Staal seemingly had a very difficult time readjusting. Putting up only three points more in nearly 50 more games in 2013-14.

His play statistically declined, but his overall physicality and speed of play also declined notably. Understandably, Staal took on a less physical role, and his offense seemed to wilt as well. The eye injury followed a concussion shortened season in 2011-12.

Staal has been somewhat unreliable in regards to positioning defensively and offensively. However, if he does turn around his game in both of those fields, he may be a serviceable defenseman.

Unfortunately, if Staal cannot right the ship, he may be the victim of yet another buyout from the Rangers.

Rob O’Gara

Acquired in exchange for Nick Holden, Rob O’Gara certainly is not the type of player to have loads of expectations on him, however, O’Gara will need to have a good season wherever he plays as this season coming up is a contract year for the young defenseman.

In 22 games with the Rangers this past season, O’Gara contributed three points, all assists. His play off the puck was physical, albeit he was usually a tad behind the play, whether it was positionally, or in terms of speed.

For now, O’Gara will likely start the season as a bottom pair player, or perhaps a seventh defenseman. However looking past this season, the Rangers will have a potential influx of young defensive talent to jostle him for a roster spot.

If O’Gara would like to stay in New York, he may need to exceed expectations as a reliable back end player in the defensive zone. In the case that he proves to be a dependable stay at home player, he may be able to stay on that roster for the next few years.

Kevin Shattenkirk

Many of the players on this list certainly face many issues surrounding their future with the team, however, Kevin Shattenkirk is locked in for the long term until the summer of 2021.

Shattenkirk, coming back to his native state of New York to play for the Rangers, signed a four-year deal last summer. After playing a little more than half the season, a knee injury knocked Shattenkirk out for the rest of the year, and the hopes of a winning season faded shortly after.

There is not exactly “risk” for Shattenkirk if he under performs, considering the Rangers are unlikely to move him too hastily. However, Shattenkirk certainly has something to prove this season.

Last season, Shattenkirk was looked at as what could have been the missing piece of the puzzle. The game changer. He was apparently injured in September, only to play through the injury until January. He would then undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.

The hope for Shattenkirk is that he returns to sharp form as soon as possible and takes a leading role for the team, otherwise, he may lose the faith of the management and the supporters, which could make him the next casualty of the rebuild.