New York Rangers in Trouble Unless Something Changes

Robby Krevat by Contributor Written on June 27, 2009
COLUMBUS, OH - JUNE 22:  17th overall pick Alexei Cherepanov of the New York Rangers poses onstage after being drafted in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft at Nationwide Arena on June 22, 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It's the day after the first day of the draft and an almost perfect storm of passing on Zdeno Chara as a free agent, a horrible blunder of signings last season, and Alexei Cherepanov dying have put the Rangers in a situation to be what i believe will be last place in the Atlantic Division.

The Rangers made it to the playoffs by the skin of their teeth this season, and i think their competition has only gotten better, but let's look at the rest of the division...

The Islanders now have Tavares, Okposo, Streit, DiPietro at the core of their team with much cap room. If they manage to snag the Sedins they have the ability to do some serious damage in the division.

The Devils are the Devils, they always find some way to be good and win the division out of nowhere or at least make the playoffs.

The Penguins just won the Stanley Cup.

The Flyers just dropped a mid-level forward, an up and coming D-Man for a blue line MONSTER in Chris Pronger. He's big, he can shoot, and he can hit. Along with Briere, Richards, etc. The Flyers have the ability to be a serious club.

The Rangers positives are Henrik Lundqvist, John Tortorella, and some good young talent. Redden has failed, Drury, Gomez and Rozsival have been mediocre. Naslund retired, and the Rangers are pushing up against the salary cap.

The Rangers power-play was horrible, they had an inability to score goals, and gave up lots of short handers.

Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa, or some other player who puts the puck in the net would be greatly appreciated in NY. Otherwise it's going to be a long season with a high draft choice next year.

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written on June 27, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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