3 keys for a Rangers reset, not a rebuild

With yesterday’s win over Chicago, the Rangers are 6-16 and are a -30 since their loss at Calgary on 11/21. For me, this has been the most disappointing season since the crash and burn of the Eric Lindros / Theo Fleury led Rangers during the 2001-02 season. That year, they went from 1st place heading into the holidays to 11th by seasons end. These aren’t the dark days, and there is a young core that can be leaned on if this season isn’t salvageable.

Obviously going from an expected Cup contender to potentially competing for the first overall pick has caused disastrous headlines and narratives around the Rangers. Like clockwork, the hockey media is looking to tear everything and everyone around this team to shreds. And while, there’s certainly some foundational pieces that must go, I think a Rangers reset, not a rebuild, is the path forward.

Between Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, and Braden Schneider, there are enough core pieces to build around and get the Rangers back to fighting for the top of the conference next year. Despite their struggles, the Rangers are still a top-10 team in expected-goals-for, something we didn’t see in last year’s team.

The main issue is team defense, as the Rangers are also at the bottom of the barrel in expected-goals-against, so that should be the starting point for a Rangers reset.

1. A new defensive zone system is critical for a Rangers reset

Before the wheels completely came off back in November, I highlighted how d-zone issues could continue to cause this team to bleed goals. It’s obvious that the Rangers current roster can not execute man coverage with any consistency. They lack the foot speed, hockey IQ, and the stamina required to execute it successfully, and it’s one of the reasons for the blow out losses.

If games were 2-1, 3-2, etc., you could probably convince me to focus elsewhere. However, if you follow me on Twitter, I often highlight goal breakdowns, which are usually due to players losing their checks. This is happening through out the lineup and can’t just be pinned on the usual whipping boys (e.g., Lindgren, Kreider).

Surely, switching to a zone based defensive structure won’t solve all of our problems. However, I think it would keep us from giving up 5+ goals a game. The question ultimately becomes whether or not Laviolette is willing to adjust. If he’s not, then we have to move on.

2. Rebuild the second line

For all intents and purposes, the Panarin – Trocheck – Lafrenière line is the top line. Like the rest of this roster, they’ve undelivered to some extent this season. However, system issues, incapable d-pairings, and not having a legitimate second line behind them shouldn’t be overlooked.

For me, I’d focus on rebuilding the Kreider – Mika – Smith line. There’s depth on the wing with top 6 ready players like Cuylle, possibly Brett Berard, plus potentially Adam Sykora, Brennan Othmann, and Gabe Perreault down the road. Smith is easily moveable at the deadline. While trading Kreider will initially sting because of his tenure, ultimately it’s the right move for the long-term given who’s coming up behind him and how his potential trade return could jump start a Rangers reset.

I’ve long thought Mika’s contract was an organization killer and I soured on him after the Devils series two years ago. If Drury is able to somehow trade him for anything less than 50% retained, I’ll anoint him king. The Rangers desperately need a “piss and vinegar” 2C who can play in both zones so that the top line doesn’t have to. I was hoping Chytil would step up and be that guy, but that ship might be leaving port unless he has a really strong second half.

3. Find Fox a LD partner

I love Ryan Lindgren and I think he gets way more flack than deserved by some of this fan base, especially by those who have no idea how to evaluate defensive defensemen. With that said, he’s a bottom pairing defensemen on a true Cup contender and could probably be a 2nd pairing guy in a zone based system. However, he will likely be paid like a top pairing player by someone in free agency this summer. I’d move him at the deadline.

Two years ago, I thought K’Andre Miller was going to develop into a top pairing player. However, he’ still wildly inconsistent defensively. He’s an RFA this year with arbitration rights. Coming off of a down year production-wise, my hope is there’s a way to keep him without breaking the bank. However, he’s not the puck moving, defensive safety valve needed to play next to Fox. Those strong numbers from earlier this year are a small sample size and it’s impossible to ignore his shortcomings this season.

Doughty had Muzzin, Keith had Seabrook, Fox has no one. Finding him a two-way defensive partner would also solidify Miller / Schneider as a respectable second pair. As far as a Rangers reset goes, that’s a solid top-four that has few holes, though it assumes Miller figures it out.

Ultimately, this season isn’t looking salvageable, thus a Rangers reset is likely inevitable. Even if by some miracle they turn things around, they are at best a wild card team having to contend with the likes of the Capitals, Devils, and Canes in the Metro division, not to mention the Lightning (who look back on track), Toronto’s fire power, and the Panthers in the Atlantic.

Chris Drury isn’t going anywhere and will be the guy to lead the Rangers moving forward. His best bet is to tackle these three areas over the course of the next 6-7 months with the aim of getting the Rangers back on top in 2025-26.