Break out the brown bags, yell out those boos. The New York Rangers have gone from contenders to pretenders in a 10-game span that has completely changed the entire landscape of this franchise.
How did it get this way, and where do we go from here?
Free-Falling Fast
The Rangers have spiraled to the near bottom of the Metropolitan Division, and things are looking bleak. The team is unsure of what is wrong. the coaches are not placing the blame, and the fans have had enough. How did they go from contenders to pretenders in a matter of a few games?
Since General Manager Chris Drury made his intentions known that a shake-up was needed from some veteran players, this team hasn't responded well. Certainly, that is not the only reason why they have been playing so horrifically. as up and down the lineup has shown lapses in play. Even with former captain Jacob Trouba traded away to Anaheim, who was labeled as an issue, they are still not playing Presidents' Trophy hockey.
And then, they use the newfound cash and oblige their record-setting goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, with the biggest contract for a netminder ever. Since then he is 2-2 after signing the deal, but then peel back the curtain, and it shows an ugly story. On Saturday, against the Los Angeles Kings, he was chased nearly midway through the second period. after allowing five "soft" goals. He has not been very "prince"-like.
There are too many problems to count. To get out of this mess, either this group has to get it together, or drastic changes must be made. If not, it may be time for another letter to be issued in the next era of Rangers hockey. To answer the question of where we go from here, that may be the best logical option.
Where do you think the Rangers should go from here?