4 on ice changes the Rangers must make

The New York Rangers entered the Olympic break with a clearer view than most NHL teams. They are not pretending they have any semblance of a chance of making the playoffs. The Rangers are toast. Still, there’s no fast forward button in hockey. The Rangers must play out the season. With that, they have an opportunity here. There are a few on ice changes the Rangers must make to take the next step and make the most of this opportunity to retool/rebuild.

Youth on the powerplay

Of all the on ice changes the Rangers must make, getting youth on the powerplay is the most critical. If Alexis Lafreniere is off the ice for a single second of first-unit power-play time after the Olympic break, every person in the Rangers organization should be fired. The Rangers must once and for all give Lafreniere every opportunity to prove he is a valuable player. No demotions, no “we want a different look,” just let him ride. If it works, you’ve unlocked something. If it doesn’t, well, you’re losing games anyway.

This is also a prime opportunity to give Gabe Perreault reps on the first unit. Adam Fox will eventually come back, so having Lafreniere and Perreault receiving passes from the all-world defenseman can greatly help their confidence. Playing the kids in all situations is one of the most critical on ice changes the Rangers must make to be even remotely successful in the future.

Promote Dylan Garand

Jonathan Quick has been a league-worst goaltender for months now, yet the Rangers seemingly have zero desire to promote Dylan Garand, who has been in Hartford for plenty of time. New York also has Spencer Martin, a journeyman, backing up Quick as the tank continues. Igor Shesterkin will return from injury in time, but there’s little to no downside in giving Garand some reps in the NHL. Plus it helps ensure the Rangers don’t rush Shesterkin back too soon.

I understand concerns about Garand’s confidence behind the horrific Rangers defense, but his confidence can’t be doing much better getting passed over time and time again by the big club, right? Plus it’s not like Hartford is doing any better.

Besides that, Garand will be waivers eligible soon enough and is bound to either be traded or be the Rangers back up. It’s odd that the team doesn’t want to see what they have.

Let Mika cook

The on ice changes the Rangers must make have a focus on playing the youth, but focusing on Mika Zibanejad’s incredible play continuing would be a smart move for the organization. Zibanejad is rebuilding his value, which helps in the trade market should he look to waive his no-move clause in the future. That’s unlikely, so the other benefit is getting reps with that youth to help build a strong top line with a solid 1C and wingers with top line potential. Mika Zibanejad finishing the season strong would be a huge win for the Rangers in an otherwise lost season.

Find something–anything–worth building from

This season and last season have been atrocious. The Rangers need a major vibe shift and they need it stat, and that only stems from the changes the Rangers must make. One of those changes is just finding something to build from. I’m not asking for a 10-game winning streak, just something good to happen for the Rangers on the ice.

Maybe it’s demolishing the Devils or Penguins on a random night. Maybe it’s a Gabe Perreault hat trick. Heck, maybe it’s a Matt Rempe hat trick. Whatever it is, the Rangers need it. This team needs to go into the offseason not feeling hopeless.

No matter how many changes the Rangers must make, entering another offseason hopeless will derail anything positive they may do in the coming months.