Why the New York Rangers should be sellers at the Trade Deadline

The current iteration of the New York Rangers is going nowhere.

Despite being two points out of a wild card spot and sporting an assortment of stars, the Rangers are simply not good enough. They should be sellers at the upcoming National Hockey League trade deadline. This past weekend's showings against the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins made this truth apparent.

It was a tale of two Igor Shesterkins during the Saturday and Sunday back-to-back, with the Russian goaltender at his absolute worst and then absolute best. After conceding five goals in the first period before being pulled in the first period at Buffalo, he stole a win for the Rangers with a 36-save masterclass in Pittsburgh. He stood on his head in the second period, saving all 19 shots he faced, while the Rangers only mustered four. Despite splitting the back-to-back, the Rangers were thoroughly outplayed by the two worst teams in the Eastern Conference. Does anyone really believe this is a team that can win a Stanley Cup? Even a playoff series?

The Rangers should use this opportunity to move on from players who will certainly not be in their future plans. Ryan Lindgren has been a good soldier for the team, but his play has fallen off a cliff. He is a player that teams will be interested in due to his reputation and "tough guy" nature that front offices swoon over come playoff time. With an expiring contract, he should absolutely be moved for possible draft capital. The Rangers do not own a second round pick for the next three seasons. Perhaps Lindgren could fetch them a second round pick that can help the Rangers reload for the future.

What opportunity does the trade deadline bring?

With the team not poised to make noise, the organization should prioritize giving young players an extended opportunity. With players such as Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard waiting in the wings, the Rangers can see if their prospects are building blocks for the future in a low-pressure environment. With prized Boston College forward prospect Gabe Perreault potentially joining the team next season, the forward corps could be given a facelift to compliment the aging stars.

The NHL is a league that is rapidly changing. The fortunes of a team can change in a year.

Just look at the Washington Capitals for instance. Last season, they sold pieces such as Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha in order to regain draft capital. In the summer, they weaponized their abundance of picks to acquire players such as Logan Thompson, Andrew Mangiapane, and Jakob Chychrun. Washington currently sits at the top of the standings with 84 points. If the Rangers follow a similar blueprint, they have the talent to be in a similar position in a year's time. It is up to general manager Chris Drury to play his cards right.