Though it can now be argued that this was one of the best trades in Rangers history, it wasn’t a universally popular deal when it went down eight years ago. Brassard was a popular top-six center who earned the nickname “Big Game Brass” with his clutch play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2015. Zibanejad was 23 and had a couple of 20-goal seasons already on his resume but was considered somewhat of a disappointment as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.

On this day in 2016: Ottawa traded Mika Zibanejad and a 2018 2nd round pick to the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard and a 2018 7th round pick. #GoSensGo #NYR #NHL pic.twitter.com/4w5n8FYW3H

— NHL Trade Alert (@NHLTradeAlert) July 18, 2024

But general manager Jeff Gorton believed Zibanejad was just starting to scratch the surface of what he’d become as a dynamic NHL player. And Gorton knew that he’d be selling high on Brassard, who was coming off a 27-goal season in 2015-16. Brassard was also six years older and on a much more expensive contract.

Brassard never scored more than 18 goals or 39 points in a season again. He announced his retirement from the NHL earlier this offseason.

Zibanejad had only 37 points in 56 games his first season in New York, but has rung up seven straight 20-goal seasons since, including 41 goals in only 57 games in 2019-20 and 39 two seasons ago. He had an NHL career-high 91 points in 2022-23.

Simply, Zibanejad is one of the top two-way centers in the League, even with questions about his 5v5 production and playoff struggle this past spring in the conference final loss to the Florida Panthers.

Related: Mika Zibanejad quietly one of greatest centers in Rangers history

Mika Zibanejad acquisition in 2016 began Rangers transition

Though “The Letter” issued by the Rangers to their fans on Feb. 8, 2018, was the official start of a major rebuild, it was swapping Brassard for Zibanejad that signaled a forward-thinking approach on Broadway with the Henrik Lundqvist era nearing an end. Trading Brassard was the first domino to fall, followed a year later by the trade of center Derek Stepan to the Arizona Coyotes and the major sell-offs to come with Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello among those traded. Moving on from Lundqvist was the final cutting of the cord of a largely successful run in the 2010s.

The Rangers built up around Chris Kreider, who was already in place, and Zibanejad, who emerged as a star even as the Rangers were rebuilding. Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren and Igor Shesterkin all arrived at The Garden in 2019-20. Two years later, with Chris Drury now their GM, the Rangers rebuild was over when they reached the Eastern Conference Final, where they lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Two years after that, the Rangers set franchise records for wins (55) and points (114) in a season and captured the Presidents’ Trophy. Again, they reached the conference final, only to lose in six games to the Panthers.

The stakes are so much higher now than when Zibanejad was acquired eight years ago. Then the Rangers were a good team in transition to a rebuild after several memorable playoff runs. Now they’re legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, trying to end a three-decade championship drought.

And that first building block is still here, trying to see the transition through to a championship. Zibanejad is 31 now and has six years left on a contract that pays him $8.5 annually.

He has been, and remains, the focal point of Rangers ever since arriving in that trade with the Senators.

“Hockey is over for me,” Brassard told La Presse, the French-language newspaper in Montreal.

Ma grande entrevue: « Le hockey est terminé pour moi » https://t.co/WCZZEIx1Qa

— Mathias Brunet (@mathiasbrunet) June 23, 2024

Brassard played 1,013 NHL games for the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Edmonton Oilers. He scored 215 goals and finished with 545 points

Related: Henrik Lundqvist tops Rangers late-round gems in NHL Draft

Derick Brassard was major figure in New York Rangers history

After playing his first six seasons with the Blue Jackets, who selected him No. 6 overall in the 2006 NHL Draft, Brassard was traded to the Rangers in the final minutes before the 2013 trade deadline. Brassard was sent to New York along with defenseman John Moore and forward Derek Dorsett in exchange for star forward Marian Gaborik and two prospects.

That same night, Brassard made his Rangers debut one to remember. He notched four points (one goal, three assists) in a 6-1 win against the Penguins at Madison Square Garden.

For the next three seasons, he and Derek Stepan formed a 1-2 punch down the middle for the Rangers. Brassard helped the Blueshirts reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 and Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2015.

Nicknamed “Big Game Brass” for his play in the postseason, Brassard had 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 59 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Rangers. He had six goals in the 2014 postseason when the Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Cup Final, third most on the team. In the 2015 playoff run, Brassard led the Rangers with nine goals and 16 points in 19 games. In 2013, he led the Blueshirts with 10 assists and 12 points in 12 playoff games.

Brassard’s two best regular seasons in the NHL were with the Rangers. He had an NHL career-high 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 2024-15 and followed up with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) the next season, his last in New York.

The Rangers traded Brassard to the Senators on July 18, 2016 for center Mika Zibanejad. Though the deal wasn’t popular at the time, it’s turned into a massive win for the Blueshirts. Zibanejad has scored 70+ points five times since the trade and 20+ goals seven times.

In 254 regular-season games with the Rangers, Brassard had 174 points (69 goals, 105 assists).

As we’ve written here already, the Rangers are done signing any UFAs for next season. That doesn’t mean they can’t give several players still hunting for a contract a Professional Try Out (PTO).

Here are a few candidates:

Derick Brassard, C (33 years-old)

Big game Brass will become Big Bargain Brass for the team willing to give him a 1 year deal at $1 million. He scored 32 points in 66 games last season but really showed something for the surprising Islanders in return to play. Maybe a reunion with the Rangers is in order?

In 18 games this past summer, Brassard notched two goals and eights points. He helped the Islanders get to the Eastern Conference Final. If you are looking from some bottom six clutch, Brassard is your guy.

Brian Boyle, C (35 years-old)

If we are talking about reunions, another player familiar with the pressures of playing in New York is Brian Boyle. He’s another center that would come in for one year at less than one million.

In 39 games for the Panthers last season he scored six goals and 15 points. Boyle would also be a vocal leader in the locker-room and help the 4th line and PK.

Ben Hutton, D (27 years old)

The Rangers could possibly want more option on the left side of the defense. Young Ben Hutton could be the answer, at least on a tryout basis. He notched 16 points in 65 games for the L.A. Kings last year but is now a UFA.

I suspect someone will lock up Hutton on a deal soon. However, if he is still around in December why not bring him in.

Devin Shore, C (26 years-old)

The 6’1″ center showed some promise early in his career with the Dallas Stars. In his first two full seasons he scored 33 and 32 points respectively. Since then he has bounced from Anaheim to Columbus and now to UFA.

This 2nd round pick, 61st overall could be someone to give a look at training camp for the 4th line. You never know, worst case you could sign him to play for the Wolf Pack on a two-way deal.

Andreas Athanasiou, C (26 years-old)

Here’s a bargain 26 year-old center the Oilers did not qualify. Athanasiou is a player with promise who scored 26 points in 55 games. He could maybe even step up to solidify the Rangers third line if needed. That is of course if he’s still around by next month.

Athanasiou plays with speed and at worst can play on the 4th line and at wing. Penalty killing can always use guys with wheels too.

Check out the latest NHL rumors here!

The Blue Jackets have some work to do and more. Latest at The Daily Goal Horn.

As we’ve written here already, the Rangers are done signing any UFAs for next season. That doesn’t mean they can’t give several players still hunting for a contract a Professional Try Out (PTO).

Here are a few candidates:

Brian Boyle, C (35 years-old)

If we are talking about reunions, another player familiar with the pressures of playing in New York is Brian Boyle. He’s another center that would come in for one year at less than one million.

In 39 games for the Panthers last season he scored six goals and 15 points. Boyle would also be a vocal leader in the locker-room and help the 4th line and PK.

Andreas Athanasiou, C (26 years-old)

Here’s a bargain 26 year-old center the Oilers did not qualify. Athanasiou is a player with promise who scored 26 points in 55 games. He could maybe even step up to solidify the Rangers third line if needed.

Athanasiou plays with speed and at worst can play on the 4th line and at wing. Penalty killing can also use guys with wheels too.

Derick Brassard, C (33 years-old)

Big game Brass will become Big Bargain Brass for the team willing to give him a 1 year deal at $1 million. He scored 32 points in 66 games last season but really showed something for the surprising Islanders in return to play.

In 18 games this summer, Brassard notched two goals and eights points. He helped the Islanders get to the Eastern Conference Final. If you are looking from some bottom six clutch, Brassard is your guy.

Conor Sheary, LW (28 years-old)

The diminutive winger plays an aggressive style that could help a team’s bottom six. Conor Sheary’s production has dipped ever since 2016-17 where he scored 53 points in just 61 games.

At this point when you look at the field, he’s not going to get anywhere close to $3 million per season. That’s what his last deal paid and he should get a one year deal to prove his worth in 2021.

A look at the Rangers center situation

Mika Zibanejad is the club’s undisputed number one center. He is coming off his best season in the NHL, recording 75 points which included 41 goals in just 57 games.

The other three centers for the majority of last season were Filip Chytil, Brett Howden, and Ryan Strome. Strome is in a contract battle with the Rangers and has filed for salary arbitration. His hearing is scheduled for November 5 and the outcome of that hearing, should the two sides not agree on a new deal, may put the club at a huge disadvantage heading into next season.

Assuming that Strome signs and depending on the combined AAVs of his and Brendan Lemieux deals, there could be some cap room. So what about signing a cheap option at center for one year?

A Derick Brassard reunion?

Looking at the list of potential candidates the club could sign from the available free agents has some possibilities to “stop the bleeding” until the team comes up with a long-term solution. One player that might find himself back in a Rangers uniform is Derick Brassard.

Brassard ironically was part of the deal that brought Zibanejad to New York. That’s when Jeff Gorton shipped Brassard to Ottawa in a July 2016 trade heist.

Things have not gone too well for the 33-year-old. Since the trade to Ottawa he has played for four other teams, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Florida, and the New York Islanders. The center lost his confidence and his gritty game as was proven with his journey around the NHL.

Brassard showed signs of life with the Islanders

Last season with the Islanders he proved his worth. He scored 10 goals while producing 32 points in 66 games. His 32 points were 13 more than current Rangers 4th line center Brett Howden. A number that stands out between the two players was shot attempts, where Brassard outshot Howden 110 to 64.

Brassard’s face-off percentage was drastically better than Howden last season. Howden managed to win just 48.2 % of the draws he took whereas Brassard managed to win 55.2% of his draws. By comparison, Zibanejaead won 49.2% of all the draws he took.

Brassard could be a good fit with this Rangers team

Brassard would be a good fit, even though older than Howden, on the fourth and possibly third line. In a time where the Rangers have their backs against the wall with the NHL salary cap, Gorton could probably get Brassard signed to a one year contract in the neighborhood of $1 million.

Last year for the Islanders his contract was for $1.2 million in a season that saw the Islanders qualify for the Covid-19 playoff bubble. In 18 playoff games, he managed two goals with eight points winning 50.1% of his face-offs ( 37 wins/36 losses).

Brassard might not seem like the most logical choice, but he could be a valuable steal at a that price. He even could help the Rangers win games until the team finds better options as the season progresses.

Here’s a look at the top free agents available

There are other options too for the Rangers. Check out the top 10 free agents available here.

The opening bell and frenzy of free agency has passed. All the big names have been signed and the players that remain are veterans waiting for teams to figure out where they are and getting the right deal.

Moving Quickly

As we’ve discussed here for over a week, the Rangers top priority is to sign Jacob Trouba longterm, make a trade or two, and buyout Brendan Smith. They need to do this to free up cap room and sign Pavel Buchnevich, Brendan Lemieux, and Tony DeAngelo.

Currently, there are a few veteran centers the Rangers could possibly land at a bargain. However, if the Rangers want to solidify the middle of the lineup, they will have to move quickly and free up a little more cap space than originally intended.

Let’s look at some possibilities:

Brian Boyle, 34

This former Ranger would provide this young forward group with veteran leadership. Much like Patrick Marleau for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boyle could help shepherd this young group on the ice and more importantly, in the locker room.

Last season, Boyle scored 18 goals and 24 points between NJ and Nashville after defeating Leukemia. He is coming off a 2 year deal with a cap hit of $2.75M. The Rangers could add Boyle as a 4th line center who can move up to the 3rd line in a pinch for a similar deal with a lesser cap hit around $2 to $2.5M

Derick Brassard, 31

This former Rangers’ center’s production has been in decline ever since being traded to Ottawa for Mika Zibanejad. He’s coming off a bad season where he only scored 23 points in 70 games for 3 different teams. So another contract with a cap hit of $5M isn’t happening.

Rumors surfaced this week that 4 teams are interested in signing Brassard, but it still hasn’t happened. Matter of fact, the longer he goes unsigned the cheaper he will be. Brassard is looking primed for one of those 1 year, $1M show me contracts than any other remaining UFA center.

If the Rangers could get him on that, he would make a solid 3rd line center, with the potential to move up to 2nd if Filip Chytil struggles.

Oscar Lindberg, 27

Another former Ranger and someone I think would be a great fit on this team. Lindberg is coming off a 2 year deal worth $1.7M and the Rangers could sign him to a 2 year deal at a bargain less than that. Lindberg scored 20 points in 55 games between Vegas and Ottawa and would be a rock solid 4th line center.

Whether you agree with the sequel to last year’s roster purge or not; whether you feel the bounty received for these popular former Blueshirts was adequate; whether you feel the future of your beloved hockey team is promising, what’s done is done and the Garden Faithful must put away their collective handkerchiefs and move on.

With the moves that were made – and those that weren’t made – over these last several days, the Rangers management team have stated, unequivocally, that they are going to build the team, up front, around stalwart forwards Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad; both of whom are in the midst of career seasons. While we will never know the validity of the Chris Kreider trade rumors that were running rampant around the Twitter-sphere from various NHL “insiders”, the fact is that #20 is still very much a member of the franchise that selected him in the first round, 19th overall, in 2009. As for Zibanejad, who may very well be playing under the most cap-friendly contract in the entire league with still three years remaining at the bargain basement price of just over $5 million AAV, there were no such rumors of anything even resembling a trade.

Zibanejad and Kreider have developed terrific chemistry both on the ice and off. They are linemates that have given the Rangers a consistent one-two punch the likes of which has rarely been seen around these parts. Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander they aren’t, but the way both have been playing, there is a definite ceiling that has yet to be reached by these two budding stars. Kreider, 27 and Zibanejad, 25, are smack dab in the middle of their primes and are flourishing at the perfect time for a franchise in desperate need of legitimate, top-tier players.

It is the belief of this author that one of these two fantastic players will become the next captain of the New York Rangers. The question is, which one? I’d like to know who you feel is most deserving of being announced as the captain at next season’s home opener come October 2019. A case can certainly be made for either. Kreider is a home-grown Ranger and has the seniority edge. Each and every one of his 443 NHL games and 131 goals were while wearing the red, white, and blue. Kreider is the lone remaining forward from the 2012 squad that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. Kreider is the prototypical bull-in-a-china-shop whose combination of size, muscle, and speed makes him darn near impossible to defend when he is on his game. Kreider has endeared himself to the Garden Faithful with his work ethic, skating ability and very likable personality. He has all the makings of a quality captain.

Mika Zibanejad was acquired from the Ottawa Senators for another very popular former Ranger, Derick Brassard, in the summer of 2016. Mika’s early days as a member of the Blueshirts were marred by an assortment of unfortunate injuries which included concussions and a broken leg. Now completely healthy, Zibanejad has blossomed right before our very eyes and is on pace to become the first Ranger since Marian Gaborik in 2009-10 to eclipse the 80-point plateau. Is the native of Sweden with Iranian ancestry that elusive 1C that the Rangers have been missing since the aforementioned Nylander was helping Jagr re-write the team’s record books over a decade ago? It certainly appears to be the case. Along with his burgeoning and increasingly impressive stat-line, Zibanejad also has charismatic qualities that go part and parcel with being a team captain. Mika has an aura. Mika has a presence. And, let’s be honest, this is New York City. This is Madison Square Garden. This is where hyperbole has laid down its roots. This is where pomp and circumstance are a virtual requirement. Zibanejad, who moonlights as a successful DJ in his spare time, was tailor-made for the bright lights of the big city. He has all the makings of a quality team captain.

So, which do you feel would make the better captain? The lunch pail toting, head down, I’m here to do my job and go home, Chris Kreider? Or, the flamboyant, perpetually smiling, multi-talented Mika Zibanejad? Zibanejad is the better all-around player, but Kreider is the third most tenured Ranger behind only Marc Staal and Henrik Lundqvist. This is a fascinating debate that is sure to exhume strong opinions either way. I will sit back and read your various comments and opinions about whom should succeed Ryan McDonagh as the next captain of the New York Rangers.

As Henrik Lundqvist and fellow Rangers teammate Mats Zuccarello gear up for Zuccarello’s charity all-star game in his native Norway, both players spoke with Roy Kvatningen of Nitten about the upcoming season and more.

When asked about his state of mind heading into training camp, Lundqvist said that he is “pumped for a new season.” He added that he isn’t sure what the team’s goals will be coming into the season, but that he knows the group will figure it out.

During their interview, both players discuss how the, now infamous, letter affected each of them. Henrik said that it was not an easy thing for him to hear. “It was pretty tough, to be honest when we decided to rebuild instead of trying to go for it. It was a tough end to the season. The first half felt good, but there were a few months where I had to work on the mental challenge of adjusting to the new situation.”

Zuccarello added a similar sentiment to that of his longtime goaltender: “When you get such a letter, it’s clear that you get frustrated and want to go away.” However, those frustrations that Zuccarello is alluding to aren’t taking away from his excitement and willingness to stay with the Rangers. “Of course, I want to be here. I feel I can be a good player and a good teammate if they are going to rebuild. Whether it takes one, two or three years, I feel I can be a good player to have in that process.”

Lundqvist was asked about his impressions of new head coach David Quinn and he had very positive things to say about the first encounter with his new bench boss. “I got a very positive first impression. It was a really good talk. We spoke about the future, about what’s been going on, and I got a good feel for what kind of person the new coach is. Of course, it will be easier to get to know him once the pre-season starts, but it was a very positive meeting.”

Note: For Zuccarello’s comments on David Quinn, click here.

Lundqvist has repeatedly stated his commitment to finishing out his career with the Rangers, which we have covered here on Forever Blueshirts, and he reaffirmed that statement when speaking to Nitten. “Yeah, I made that decision when I signed my contract four years ago, If I get the opportunity, I’d love to play my whole career with one club. My goal is to finish my career with the Rangers. Few players ever get that opportunity. The question is, of course, if that feeling is mutual. But I really, really enjoy being a Ranger. This club has treated me exceptionally well.”

Finally, Lundqvist talked about all of the young guys coming into the locker room and how the veterans can help bring the team together. “I hope we can set a standard where the young players know what’s expected of them. It’s important to implement this at the beginning of the season. Mats Zuccarello and I have been here a long time and will be an important part of this club for a long time, and we’ll be an important part of the mix between younger and older players.”

Lundqvist and Zuccarello are both excited as we inch closer and closer towards training camp and the start of the 2018-19 season. As this is being written, both players are focused on raising money for children around the globe at the Henke & Zucca Summer Classic taking place on Saturday, along with former Rangers Derick Brassard, Carl Hagelin, Antti Raanta, Ryan McDonagh, and Artem Anisimov.

Editor’s Note: All translations courtesy of article’s author Roy Kvatningen. If you can read Norwegian, you can read the original article here.

It’s no secret that there are a number of former Rangers still in the playoffs. Each former Ranger has provided their new team with some sort of contribution. Ok, Michael Grabner pretty much sucked in New Jersey, but that was part of the plan; gain a second rounder, give no significant contribution, and re-sign with New York on the cheap. That being said, let’s see how the rest of the former Blueshirts are doing.

Michael Grabner

After scoring 31 points (25G, 6A) in 59 games this season for the Rangers, Grabner scored a mere five points (2G, 3A) in 21 games for New Jersey. Traded for to be a depth scorer on a newly competitive Devils team, Grabner simply did not do what he was traded for. Always a streaky scorer, Grabner went cold when he crossed the Hudson and did not improve his numbers in the playoffs. Grabner went pointless in two games before being scratched for the Devils last three games. If you are looking for a bright spot here, the only positive is if the Rangers truly want to bring him back. If that’s the case, Grabner’s contract leverage may have been slightly affected and will be able to be signed for cheaper than if he had gone on a tear in the last 20 games with the Devils.

Brian Boyle

Brian Boyle signed with the Devils in the offseason after spending the last few years with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Boyle was brought in to be a veteran leader on a young and contending Devils squad. Amongst active players, there are few who can match the amount of Stanley Cup Playoff experience (111 games) that Boyle has. During the first round series loss to the Lightning, Boyle did not produce any points for the Devils. However, Boyle was in the middle of the entire series and got into it with Mikhail Sergachev after Sergachev appeared to throw an elbow into Blake Coleman.

Nick Holden

After a career year last season with the Rangers, Holden took a slight step back this season. He still scored 12 points (3G, 9A) with the Rangers in 55 games before providing the Bruins with five points (1G, 4A) in 18 games. However, like Grabner, Holden has received a few healthy scratches. In the playoffs, Holden has played just a single game for the Bruins and scored one point. As the playoffs go on, look to see Holden get more playing time as the bumps and bruises begin to take their toll on his fellow Boston defensemen. I may be in the minority, but Holden is not a bad depth defenseman and actually had the best-advanced numbers of any Ranger defensemen this season prior to the trade.

Rick Nash

Holden’s teammate Rick Nash has seen a little more success with the Bruins. After a down season with only 28 points (18G, 10A) in 60 games with the Rangers, Nash has found a home on Boston’s second line scoring six points (3G, 3A) in 11 games. While Nash was injured at the end of the regular season, he was in the lineup for Game 1 against Toronto. In eight games so far Nash has four points (3G, 1A).  Don’t let his stats fool you, Nash continues to be the most snake-bitten player in history, as every Ranger fan knows all too well. In Game 7, Nash batted a puck out of mid-air towards a wide open net only to see the puck get stopped by the butt end of Andersen’s stick. When Nash finally breaks out, look for Boston’s offense to become deadly.

Carl Hagelin

Hagelin has now won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins and is looking for a third as the Penguins dispatched the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. During the series, Hagelin scored three points (2G, 1A) and was a consistent threat with his speed on a line with Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. However, late in the series, Hagelin got destroyed by Claude Giroux and had to leave Game 6 prior to the conclusion of the series, and has yet to play for the Penguins in the second round.

Derick Brassard

After spending a year and a half in Ottawa, Brassard was reunited with Carl Hagelin on the Penguins. Brassard has provided the Penguins with the center depth that they needed behind Crosby and Malkin. If Evgeni Malkin’s injury keeps him out of the lineup for any time, look for Brassard to slide up onto the second line behind Sidney Crosby. During the series against Philadelphia, Brassard scored three points (1G, 2A) in six games.

Ryan Callahan

The former captain and heart and soul of the Rangers, Callahan returned from injury for Game 5 after missing Games 3 and 4 with an upper-body injury. Callahan scored an empty net goal to seal the game and series for the Lightning on an assist from Ryan McDonagh, something about two former Ranger captains linking up to eliminate the Devils is a beautiful thing. If Callahan is able to stay healthy, he will help to provide depth, forechecking, and physicality for the Lightning as the playoffs continue.

Dan Girardi

Dan Girardi was bought out by the Rangers this past summer and was quickly signed by the Lightning. Girardi has played a significant amount of time on the top pairing with Victor Hedman. Girardi, as we all know, is not a flashy player. However, his dependable play, coupled with a structured defensive system has allowed Hedman to play to a Norris Trophy level this season. In the playoffs, Girardi has not scored a point while playing close to 16 minutes a game. However, his stay at home play has allowed the other Lightning defenders the freedom to join the rush and contribute offensively.

Anton Stralman

The man that the Rangers allowed to walk in favor of Dan Girardi has made a home for himself in Tampa. Stralman has been a steady presence on the Lightning blue line. In the playoffs so far, Stralman has averaged close to 23 minutes a night and has contributed one point (0G, 1A) in six games so far. On a blue line with Ryan McDonagh, Victor Hedman, Mikhail Sergachev, and Dan Girardi, Stralman can fly under the radar. However, his steady play has clearly not gone under the radar for those who follow the Lightning closely.

JT Miller

JT Miller is the person who has benefitted most from the trade deadline. Out from under AV’s thumb, Miller has thrived as nearly a point-per-game player. Granted part of this can be attributed to playing with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, however, Miller is clearly at home on that line and not overwhelmed by the star power next to him. In the playoffs Miller has four points (1G, 3A) in six games. Look for Miller to be a big contributor as the playoffs continue.

Ryan McDonagh

O Captain, My Captain. Probably the hardest trade for Rangers fans to stomach, Ryan McDonagh has thrived in Tampa. With Victor Hedman as the clear top left-handed defenseman on the team, McDonagh has not had to be THE guy every single night. Additionally, joining a team with so much leadership on the roster, McDonagh does not have the added pressure that being the captain in New York brought with it. Since the trade, McDonagh scored three points (2G, 1A) in the regular season. However, in the playoffs McDonagh has scored four points (0G, 4A) while seeing 23 minutes a night in all situations.

The Rangers may not be in the playoffs, but we as fans still have plenty of reason to cheer. I, for one, will continue to support the Tampa Bay Rangers. I look forward to seeing Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, JT Miller and Ryan Callahan on the ice as the Lightning close out the Stanley Cup. Additionally, the first round pick that we get next year will make it much easier to swallow.

I don’t like watching the Rangers play lately, but I do in fact like when like when they lose. The Rangers currently are the in a position to become lottery contenders for the first overall pick in this year’s draft, even if the odds are slim. As much as I love the Rangers losing to secure a higher percentage for that pick, I cannot watch them play. Have you ever been to a Rangers game, or any professional ice hockey game, where the peewees play during an intermission and there’s a lot of them and they’re all chasing the puck in a very unorganized fashion? Wait that’s not a bunch of peewees, that’s the New York Rangers you’re watching! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen three or even four players go into the corner against ONE opposing player to battle for the puck, IN THE DEFENSIVE ZONE! And you want to tell me it’s all Henrik’s fault? You can just stop reading now because I don’t bash Hank as much as you probably want me to in this article. But let’s get back to the matter at hand, the Rangers are unwatchable and it’s a good thing.

Are they doing this on purpose?

I don’t know how many of you keep watching these abysmal games lately, but Sunday’s game against the Flyers was probably the end of the line for me. It started out fantastic, a fight within 20 seconds of the start of the game (side note, I love that Buch is fighting, adds a lot of grit to his game that the Rangers can count on in his upcoming years), back and forth goals with two more fights sprinkled in and the Rangers and Flyers were tied 3-3 at the end of the first. Looking like an instant classic but after that first period, the Rangers started to lose an edge. Hank let in a bunch of soft goals, but we can only ask so much of him going back to back for two straight afternoon games. The defense started to crumble like it has done all year and it’s embarrassing. After Sunday’s loss, they made it four defeats in a row. They have also dropped eight out of the last ten and 11 out of 14; having a goal differential of -26 and a shot differential of -20 in that span. It’s getting to the point where I hate watching because there is sloppy play from everyone and that in turn leads to Hank getting no support in front.

It seems to be the motif of the Rangers this season; lack of defense, a flurry of goals, the goalie gets pulled, the Rangers lose. At a certain point, it’s just painful to watch my team lose every night, and I know something about losing, I’m a Mets Fan! After getting pulled Saturday against the Senators, he stares down the bench to someone off camera, my assumption it was someone of the coaching staff.

As the Trade Deadline Looms, Restlessness ensues

It’s no secret that a team currently out of the playoff race, or in the Rangers situation telling the fans outright that they’re sellers this year, puts unusual strain and fear into the players. Since Hank took over the duties between the pipes, the Rangers have always had a shot at the playoffs and almost always traded for someone to give them the extra push to solidify their position.

Now comes this unusual time for the current crop of Rangers, who have not had their current position in jeopardy. This leads to doubt and distractions for all players, whether you’re on the trading block or not. Remember how Mats Zuccarello felt when Derick Brassard was traded to the Senators for Mika Zibanejad? Some players lose close friends in the process and I feel like a lot of people who watch any sport, not just hockey, forget that these are actual people, not trade chips or commodities. Distracted players lead to poor play, and when every player is distracted it leads to bad hockey. The Rangers just traded Nick Holden yesterday, and that’s hopefully just the start of the fire sale going on in MSG to make the team better in the years to come.

The more they lose, the better the draft pick

Even though they’re last in their division, the Blueshirts aren’t last in the whole league and still have a chance to make the playoffs with 22 games left this season. My fear up until Jeff Gorton’s press conference a couple of weeks ago was that the Rangers would still go on a fool’s run to chase a cup that they have no legitimate chance to obtain this year. Thank the hockey lords that it wasn’t the case, but unfortunately, the Rangers cannot tank in hopes that they can get the first overall pick like some teams do in other sports *cough* football *cough* baseball *cough cough*.

So, having the worst record doesn’t guarantee anything in this sport so why not try to win? Well, there’s still a good chance they can obtain the first overall pick through the lottery. Currently, the Rangers sit ninth in lottery standings with a 5.4% chance of obtaining the first overall pick. That’s not that much, but with the way the team is trending, that percentage could increase in the coming weeks.

Speaking of play, I don’t think I’ve seen Hank pulled these many times in his career and it doesn’t help that his backup is hurt as well. Injuries have hurt this team the whole season and as much as I like seeing all the young players like Boo Nieves, Vinni Lettieri, Tony DeAngelo, John Gilmour, and Neal Pionk get good minutes and overall NHL experience, that lack of said experience is what helped drive this team to last in their very competitive division. Remember, this team started off as one of the worst teams in the league and it looked like a race to the bottom as Hank was starting to show his age and other players were playing very subpar hockey.

The Elephant Behind The Bench

There’s been one person I’ve left out this whole article so far and I think you know who it is; Alain Vigneault. AV has been a poison for this team for a while now and I’m convinced that if the Rangers lost to the Vegas Golden Knights on October 31, he would have been out the door. The Rangers were 3-7-2 before that meeting and would have been last in the league if they lost to Vegas, prompting the boot for AV. Now, this coach still is in charge six days before the deadline and has stated that it’s the team’s job to come to the rink every day and work to get better and to win. I understand that he’s currently fighting for a job that most likely will be vacant come season’s, but calling out poor goaltending was where I couldn’t stand to tolerate him anymore. He is putting out lines of fourth line nobodies instead of responsible defensive players, and calls out goaltending? I believe that he’s the reason why the Rangers didn’t have that fire in them the whole season. His questionable systems and player usage deflated how the Rangers played, and his comments burned a hole in their soul, and mine as well. Hank is the captain in my mind, no disrespect to Ryan McDonagh, but Hank is the heart and soul of this team and fights hard every night. And seeing the disrespect Vigneault showed him like that by throwing him under the bus is unforgivable.

I don’t see the Rangers winning many games or even being competitive in the coming weeks. The team as a whole has given up mentally and the trade deadline doesn’t help to boost morale. I only see this team succeeding next year if they get a whole new coaching and training staff that focus on youth development and trust in the young talent. Except for Jim Ramsay, he’s a legend.

Closing Statements

I was always a baseball kid. I played it, watched it and lived it. I’m a Mets fan, so you already know I’m used to bad records and trading my favorite players away. I never really cared because it was what they did, they made a good run every five or six years then they go back to losing. My family also watched football and we’re Giants fans. Better history there with the two recent championships that I can fondly look back on.

Now the Rangers are different. When I first seriously got into hockey, the Rangers made the playoffs year after year or at least had a shot at making a run. Henrik was dominant, and they always had a chance to win each game. This year hurts more than any other, including the other sports I follow. With the Mets, I can be okay with them being bad, and the Giants don’t matter because they’ve won in recent history. The Rangers on the other hand look defeated, they have nothing to show for all the hard work they’ve put in year after year, and the team needs an overhaul. Hank deserves more, the fans deserve more, the whole team deserves more. As much as losing helps the Rangers in the long run, the way they’re losing is heartbreaking. There’s no energy, fire or passion. I thought Sunday’s game was a glimpse into some good old-fashioned hockey, but it turned out to be the same crappy team we’ve been staring at in disappointment this whole season. The trade deadline, offseason, draft and training camp cannot come soon enough for the Rangers who are in dire need of a hard reset.