It became evident that changes were coming for the New York Rangers, and they did today - Friday afternoon, the Blueshirts traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks for Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick. This ends Trouba's - the 28th captain in Rangers history - five-year tenure with the team.
More changes will be coming as well. New York gained around $7 million in cap space by shipping Trouba off to Anaheim, and according to sources, nobody is safe around the Rangers organization as general manager Chris Drury looks to make another move.
After a few days off, New York returns to the ice tonight to face the Pittsburgh Penguins (11-12-4). The Blueshirts, who have lost six out of seven, are quickly looking to right the ship; the first major change was trading their captain to Anaheim.
Here's three things that the Rangers need tonight against Pittsburgh as they look to dig themselves out of a hole.
1. Igor Shesterkin
New York will be rolling with Shesterkin tonight, who is in the midst of a career-high five-game losing streak. Over the past few games, Shesterkin has not made the saves required for New York to win, but then again, it's hard with the amount of high-danger opportunities that the Rangers are giving up.
If Shesterkin starts playing well, the Rangers are a completely different team. We've seen this over the past few years - Shesterkin wants to be the highest-paid goalie in the NHL, and if he backs up this play, New York has a chance in any game.
Regardless of how the Rangers are at 5v5, if they have one of the best goaltenders in the league it changes their season.
2. Special Teams
This has to be on the list again - the Rangers are centered around special teams. They still have the No. 2 penalty kill in the NHL and now have a power play goal in two straight games. This once again needs to be at the center of the Rangers' success as they look to rack up wins.
This starts with the No. 1 power play unit of Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox and Vincent Trocheck, who spend the majority of New York's power play time on the ice.
3. Energy
Everyone who follows hockey knows that the Rangers are in a funk right now, and it's apparent in the locker room. Today is definitely a weird day - the Blueshirts traded their captain who was a leader for the last few years.
It's up to other older players - such as Zibanejad, Kreider, Panarin, Trocheck, etc. - to bring energy to the table and get New York going. Or else, the season might be close to done.