Are the New York Rangers Better or Worse Entering 2013-14 Season?

After what was a wildly successful 2011-12 campaign, which saw the New York Rangers take home the Atlantic Division title and make an exciting run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the team was expected to further progress in 2013. Experts even tipped the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup.

It wasn't unbased speculation, either. The Rangers had the best goaltender in the world and a top-five defense in the league. Their only true shortcoming in 2011-12 was offense, but general manager Glen Sather addressed the issue during the summer of 2012 by acquiring Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite losing three roster players in the process, it was the right move; the team now had all the makings of a champion.

But, as everyone I’m sure already knows, the Rangers came nowhere near the Stanley Cup in 2013. After a turbulent start the team struggled to find its footing until April, after Marian Gaborik was traded to Columbus for, ironically enough, depth.

The Rangers posted a 9-3-1 record to end the season following the transaction, and as a result, the team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference. An unexpected and maybe undeserving series victory over the Washington Capitals in Round 1 had New York believing, but sweet dreams of captain Ryan Callahan parading the Cup through the streets of Manhattan were squashed by the Boston Bruins in Round 2.

And it was back to the drawing board for Sather and the Rangers’ front office.

Except this offseason was different.

`A variety of circumstances restricted the Rangers’ options in the summertime. As per the new collective bargaining agreement, the salary cap was to drop over $6 million, and with a lengthy list of key restricted free agents to sign—plus the organization’s reluctance to buyout overpaid Brad Richards with their final compliance buyout—the Rangers had no wiggle room.

But that didn't stop Sather from making a splash, except this time it didn't come in the form of player-personnel. Before the free-agency market even opened, Sather shocked the hockey world by firing head coach John Tortorella. He was soon replaced by Alain Vigneault, who oddly enough was recently fired by the Vancouver Canucks—Tortorella’s new employer.

Sather cited a number of reasons why he let the most winningest American-born coach go, among them his mistreatment of some of the younger players and his failure to get the team’s offense going. But the truth was the team needed a change of philosophy. Tortorella’s tactics were growing old and he was clearly aggravating everyone: the players, the front office and the fans.

Vigneault is a much more progressive coach. He’ll play to his players strengths and isn't afraid to promote an offensively-creative style, if the team has the talent. But most importantly, every player will start with a clean slate under AV. Tortorella was notorious for picking favorites and alienating others. Many of those outcasts eventually found themselves off the team, see: Gaborik, Mike Rupp and Enver Lisin.

But, if you ask me, it was Tortorella’s treatment of youngster Chris Kreider that was the breaking point. Kreider has, for years now, been the Rangers’ top prospect. He burst onto the scene during the 2012 playoffs, proving that he had the size, speed and skill to excel at the professional level. But in 2013, Torts grew impatient with the 22-year-old. He played in just 23 games and spent most of his time in either the press box or in Hartford with the organization’s AHL affiliate.

Now Vigneault isn't necessarily known for his ability to develop young talent, but he is known for getting the most out of his players, and if he can get the best out of Kreider and the rest of the team, the Rangers are going to be in good shape.

When having this conversation—whether or not the Rangers will be better in 2013-14 than they were in 2013—it has to come right back to Vigneault. The team, for the most part, is the same, save for a few depth signings—guys like Dominic Moore and Benoit Pouliot—and youngsters who could potentially play a role. If the Rangers are a better team in 2013-14 it’ll be because of Vigneault, one way or another.

So, what exactly does he have to do to take this team to the next level? He’ll have to improve the offense. For starters, he should abolish the chronic dump-and-chase style Tortorella lived and died by. Promoting puck possession and defensive inclusion in the offense will be key. There’s talent on this team; Nash, Callahan, Zuccarello, Kreider and Richards have proven they can be effective in the offensive zone, and Vigenault has to afford them the freedoms they need to be successful.

The defense is also vital to a strong attack. The group is a very mobile one. Ryan McDonagh, Michael Del Zotto, John Moore, Marc Staal and Anton Stralman can all skate very, very well. They need to join the rush when appropriate and pinch when necessary. This will allow the team to apply more fervent pressure and, hopefully, as a result, the team will score more.  

There will be some give and take, though. A more offensive team will be more vulnerable in their own zone, but when you've got the best keeper in the world, you can take more risks. It’s an ideal situation for Vigneault, and one Tortorella should have taken advantage of when the team employed two offensive powerhouses in Nash and Gaborik.

On paper, yes, this team is nearly identical to the team that finished up the season in 2013. In reality, fans and experts alike should expect more of the same this year: a first or second round playoff appearance. It could take some time for the players to warm up to Vigneault, but this team is much better off than they were even two months ago. The culture needed to change and it has, drastically. That’s a plus for the younger players and the talent on this team.

Are the Rangers contenders? No, not right now, but the foundation has been laid. In time this will be a better team.