Now What?

Since last month’s 5-2 win of Phoenix, the Rangers are a very disappointing 3-7, dropping from very good 8-3-1 to a mediocre 11-10-1. This puts them tied for LAST place in the Atlantic. Let that one sink in for a while.

Many are calling for Michal Rozsival to be sent to Hartford. That ain’t happening. Many are wondering where there is no secondary scoring. Well, with aside from Brandon Dubinsky, who was scoring enough to consider it secondary scoring, none of Chris Drury, Sean Avery, Christopher Higgins, or Ryan Callahan have performed up to their career averages this year. The defense? Well, we tackled that already.

So what is there to do? Panic and make a trade? I hope not. Freak out at Glen Sather for putting together such an abysmal team? Sure, blame him for the contracts these guys signed, but it isn’t his fault that no one is performing. Blame John Tortorella? Personally, I think it’s too soon to blame the coach, but something has to be said for the fact that he can’t get them to play a full 60 minutes. This is something Tom Renney had a problem with as well.

It’s tough to say what the Rangers really are. I’m an optimist, and would like to think that this is just a bump in the road. But a smarter part of me knows that we saw trouble signs during the seven game win streak to start the season. While the Drury and Dubinsky injuries are hurting the Rangers, it isn’t the cause of the demise.

So, I ask you, now what?