J.T. Miller perfectly nails why Rangers’ retool needed to happen

The New York Rangers have opened their eyes this month and came to the realization that the playoffs simply aren't attainable. Thus, the start of the retool. This is the direction the Rangers needed to go in, as the roster was older and slower, and they needed to give a shot to their younger players. With veterans potentially being moved out, it would give the Rangers youngsters more playing time.

On Monday, the Rangers youth movement shined, as they picked up a huge 4-3 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. 24-year-old defenseman Matthew Robertson scored the game-winning goal in overtime. 20-year-old winger Gabe Perreault notched an assist on captain J.T. Miller's go-ahead goal in the first period to put the Rangers up 2-1. The young players who are expected to factor into their future, made an impact on Monday.

After the game, Miller was asked about the play of Perreault and Robertson in the win. Miller praised both of them, saying "they're big parts of our team and I'm sure they're only going to get better with more experience."

J.T. Miller's latest comments prove why the Rangers’ retool is right decision

These comments from Miller are exactly why the Rangers desperately needed to enter a retool. The roster needed to get younger and faster, especially when looking at the rest of the Eastern Conference, if they want any chance of contending for a Stanley Cup in the future. Their window is currently closed shut after the 2023-24 season. Now, with the Rangers being the only team in the East out of the playoff picture, they made the correct decision to try and jumpstart what is a rebuild, even though Drury wouldn't say that.

The Rangers already sent a veteran player off of the roster in defenseman Carson Soucy, who was traded to the rival New York Islanders for a 2026 third-round pick. With Soucy out and other veteran players like Artemi Panarin likely to follow, that should open the door for their younger players to get expanded roles. As Miller said perfectly, they should only get better with more playing time.

Perreault has notably been a positive presence as of late. He was long expected to be a cornerstone piece for the Rangers' future. He was a first-round pick that was praised for his scoring ability. He hasn't factored much onto the stat sheets for most of the season (three goals, five assists in 20 games), but he is improving his all-around play. If Panarin does get dealt by the March 6 deadline, Perreault could be the beneficiary of his absence, meaning more ice time and increased odds of gaining more experience.

With Soucy out, that gives Robertson more playing time, along with other young defensemen like Urho Vaakanainen.

Once more Rangers are traded to different teams, the more playing time their other younger players can get, such as Noah Laba and Brennan Othmann, just to name a couple.

The Rangers needed to embrace the youth movement, and to see them finally do it is a welcome sight. All fans can do is hope that these younger players pan out and they become pivotal pieces on a future Stanley Cup-winning roster in New York.