With the way the season is going for the New York Rangers, the direction of the team remains unclear. Last season, the Rangers emerged from the grasp of their rebuild and the expectations of the Blueshirts rose sky-high. Powered by a hot goaltender and a 50-goal winger, the Rangers were able to threaten even the established Tampa Bay Lightning for their place representing the East in the conference finals.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, this season has not had that same leadership. The goaltender that was setting NHL records last year is still there but he is not the .935 goalie he was last year. The 50-goal forward is still on the roster, but he’s been very hot and cold to start the year. With the unpredictability of the roster, the Rangers could be looking at a situation where they are not going to make the postseason and get the chance to chase the Holy Grail of Hockey.
If it is clear that the Rangers will be on the outside of the playoff chase looking in then there is a good chance that the Rangers will be looking to move out some of the established players in order to accommodate assets to help them in the future. There will not be much of a case for buying if the Rangers are out of it at the deadline and it does raise a question. Should the Rangers sell if they are out of it?
Whether or not you think the Blueshirts should be selling or not, there are a few Rangers that should not be on the roster at the end of the year if the Rangers are a long way out of the playoff picture. Pieces on the roster at that point should be moved at the trade deadline if there is no chance that the Rangers can contend. If the chance for the postseason is truly gone, bite the bullet and see what you can recoup.