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If you’ve been around these parts long, then you know we really push process over results when it comes to roster moves made by the Rangers. If the right idea was there, but a player didn’t work out (Lee Stempniak), then so be it. The thought process was correct, but hey, not everything works out. The premise here is that proper process is usually a precursor to success. Stempniak was one of many bargain bin free agent signings meant to address scoring depth (Benoit Pouliot, Viktor Stalberg), but the only one that didn’t work. Two out of three isn’t bad.
The process started to get away from the Rangers right before the 2014 run to the Stanley Cup Final. Mistakes made in talent evaluation on the blue line was the big blow. But there were other signings that were puzzling. Tanner Glass is the most obvious here, but others like Jarret Stoll, Daniel Paille, and Ryan Malone also belong in this category. None of these players added anything to the lineup other than the hope that they could regain enough to be a fourth line forward. Not exactly high reward for the risk.
This offseason is different. Instead of old retreads that have nothing left, or one dimensional players, GM Jeff Gorton focused on speed, shot generation, and shot suppression. Each signing, from Brandon Pirri to Josh Jooris, was marked with an eye for these specific skills. They filled out the bottom-six, an area that desperately needed retooling, to adjust to the new NHL.
There is still work to be done, albeit much more difficult work. Addressing the blue line issues that continue to plague this team is something that will take time to do. However the moves made this offseason have set the Rangers up to be younger, faster, and deeper. This allows Gorton some flexibility to deal from forwards, perhaps packaging a forward with a defenseman, in order to address those needs
After two straight offseasons questioning what the front office was doing, the Rangers have taken a giant leap in the right direction. The forward depth issues were addressed with a keen eye on skills and stats. Process breeds improvement. So far, so good on that front.
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