As the 2025 trade deadline approaches, the question about what the Rangers will do may have been answered. Though mathematically still in the race, the Rangers did not do themselves any favors over the weekend. They were embarrassed in Buffalo before Igor Shesterkin stole two points in Pittsburgh. This weekend wasn’t just about points, it was how they won. Instead of dominating two bad teams, the Rangers nearly rolled over twice. These Rangers do not deserve to be buyers at the deadline. Full stop.

Coming out of the fun and exciting 4 Nations Face Off, the Rangers had two games against bad opponents. As discussed, while getting four points was the goal, it was more than just points. They not only needed to win, which they didn’t, they needed to look good and dominate two bad teams, which they didn’t.

In two must win games, the Rangers got crushed 8-2 by a terrible Buffalo team. They followed it up the next day by getting absolutely shelled and relying on Igor Shesterkin to steal a 5-3 win in Pittsburgh. This came on the heels of losing to a Penguins team that didn’t have Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin right before the break.

If the players can’t get their acts together for three must win games, winning just one and looking awful in all three, then why should this front office reward them? If these players can’t get over the fact that a friend was moved in the offseason, who was objectively one of the worst players in the NHL, then why should they be rewarded? If these players can’t even play for the fans they say they love, then why should they be rewarded?

Absolutely nothing over the last two weeks of regular season hockey has shown us that these guys deserve to be buyers at the deadline. The JT Miller trade has worked out so far, but it’s clear one player does not make a difference. Not when the players themselves appear to have quit.

We can say what we want about roster holes, specifically at 1LD and 3C. We know those exist, and we know the Rangers won’t hit their full potential with those holes. We can say what we want about a system that doesn’t fit the players. Those are certainly inputs into this season’s train wreck. But by and large, the issue is with the players. They quit.

This is easily the most frustrating, disappointing and angering season in my entire life as a Rangers fan. The dark ages of 1998-2004 were objectively worse by standings, but we all knew the Rangers were expected to lose. This season the Rangers ran back the same team that was a bounce away from a 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Final and got rid of the worst player in the NHL. To go from that to whatever this product is has been a football to the groin.

At this point, the season is lost. The Rangers should be sellers at the trade deadline, at least in the traditional sense. Jimmy Vesey, Ryan Lindgren, Reilly Smith, and perhaps Jonathan Quick (if he wants to be moved) should all fetch mid-round picks. If Chris Kreider can get healthy, he will fetch a haul. Artemi Panarin as well.

The Rangers are dead. Long live the Rangers.

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