The Rangers kicked off their All-Star break Thursday. Of course it's not a true five day break, due to most travel likely occurring Thursday after Wednesday's game and the need to be for Tuesday's contest. This is one reason why I like what AV proposed; in essence a full week off, which means a true five-day break. As such, the additional five-day, bye-week added this year could be scuttled, reducing the three games in four nights and four in six nights several teams have had.
Prior to the break, the offense again hit a lag. The line of Rick Nash-Mike Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich are still getting the sea legs underneath them after missing so much time. More disconcerting was the lack of production from the Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello trio. It's that reason why it wouldn't be surprising to see Nash and Zucc swap lines, restoring the combinations we saw earlier in the season.
The third line, once Kevin Hayes is back from his lower body injury, approximately a week after play resumes January 31, should be Michael Grabner-Hayes-J.T. Miller. It's possible Jimmy Vesey, who hopefully gets rejuvenated from this short break, gets another kick at the can there, replacing Grabner, who not surprisingly has slowed after his ridiculously hot start. Maybe Matt Puempel, who has been fairly impressive in relatively limited action, also gets a chance on that trio, or Brandon Pirri gets one more chance to show that he can play wing on that line.
The fourth then will be a mish-mash. Jesper Fast should hopefully be back Tuesday from his lower-body injury. He pretty much is a fixture on that line. If Grabner is not on the third line, he clearly will skate on the fourth line. If it's not Grabner, then look for Vesey or Puempel or Pirri to likely grab a spot. Oscar Lindberg should be penciled in at center, though that may depend on what AV is looking for in that group. If defense rather than offer, than Lindberg makes sense, especially since he can win draws. If it's offense, then AV actually could go Puempel-Pirri-Fast, with Fast as the defensive ballast to the potential offense provided by Puempel and Pirri. One other option might be Vesey-Pirri-Puempel, though that seems less likely. Pitti's spot in the lineup may be driven by his placement on a power play unit. If he is pulled off the PP, then he is more likely to be scratched.
What is clear is that options exist. In addition, some of this will be determined by if New York keeps two extra forwards until the Feb. 28 trade deadline, once Fast and Hayes return from injury. A further factor is the trade market. Grabbing a third line winger with some bite and grit and playoff experience like Patrick Sharp or a fourth liner such as Brian Boyle can't be ruled out, which would change the lines and complexion of this team. Names such as Shane Doan and Jarome Iginla have been bandied about, I view each as an unlikely option either due to cost to acquire or fit stylistically.
A month is left to the trade deadline. I will get to the defense in another blog. But while much of the focus has been on upgrading the blueline, don't rule out a tweak to the forwards. In addition, as we saw with the Keith Yandle deal, an offensive infusion could come from a name or team not mentioned. If New York does go the trade route, look for GM Jeff Gorton to acquire a forward who will be a UFA next year, since there is no real room to protect anyone else in the expansion draft.