The New York Rangers Are Crying Their Way Out Of Playoffs

(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Glen Sather made a desperate bid to ensure a playoff spot this year - trading picks and prospects for Morris and Antropov, gambling on Sean Avery and firing Tom Renney, one of the league's best coaches. 

Despite all of this, the Rangers are just two points above the Florida Panthers who currently sit out of playoff contention. 

The Rangers have a tough schedule for the remainder of the season, playing strong teams in the East who are fighting for strong positioning when playoffs start, while the Panthers have 3 games against teams out of playoff contention; two against the Atlanta Thrashers and one against the Ottawa Senators. 

Sather has to be praying that the Rangers can pull this off, even though they are sure to make yet another quick exit if they squeak into the final 16. Sather's reputation as a builder is in shatters. 

He is ranked as one of the league's worst GMs after he has managed New York to consistent mediocrity, and has now put contracts in place that will ensure his successor, likely to come into place this summer, can do little to fix it in short term. 

The Rangers have now been reduced to whining about officiating and complaining that Sean Avery is being picked on (!). 

Interesting team to watch as always, but may not get to watch them for much longer this year.

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