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New York Rangers: How to become a contender again

By Steve Paulus

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: The New York Rangers celebrate their victory in the National Hockey League game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers on January 17, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 17: The New York Rangers celebrate their victory in the National Hockey League game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers on January 17, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. (Photo by Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

This hockey season will be one of the highest scoring in NHL history.   Only once in its history have more goals been scored at this point in a season.  Are the rebuilding New York Rangers being stocked with the right players for the new NHL?

The tweet from NHL Media said this:   A total of 4,713 goals have been scored this season (including 43 shootout-deciding goals), the most through 770 games in a campaign since 2005-06 (4,787). That season finished with the most goals in NHL history (7,588).

There are a number of reasons for the increase in goal scoring.  Goalie pads and chest protectors got smaller.  The referees are calling every infraction that inhibits an offensive opportunity.  The game is faster and the players are more skilled.   Are the rebuilt New York Rangers going to be able to compete?

If you look at it statistically, the 2018-19 Rangers are not.  The team ranks sixth worst in the league averaging 2.79 goals per game. They average the second fewest shots on goal per game in the league (28 per game) and have taken the fewest shots on goal of any team.  The Rangers are 27th in the league in power play opportunities.  They are one of five teams in the league with an negative even strength goal differential of over 20 goals.

How many current Rangers fit the modern NHL model?  What is needed for the Rangers to be able to compete? With exactly one month to go to the trade deadline, the personnel decisions that will be made will either expedite the rebuild or halt it in its tracks.  At the All-Star break, we can sit back and look at the state of the current roster, the prospect pool and trade opportunities.  Here’s what needs to be done.

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