The Rangers for all intents and purposes straddled the fence this trade deadline. Either you are all in or all out. Instead, New York and GM Jeff Gorton was only partway in, which resolves nothing.
A month ago, the view likely was sell. Take some expiring or overachieving assets - you know who they are - and recoup or acquire additional picks. Part of that might have been driven by Henrik Lundqvist's struggles. But Hank has found his game, spurring hope that maybe this could be the year IF and that's a big IF the blue line was improved, same possibly with the bottom six if some grit and physical play could be brought in. The big target of course was Kevin Shattenkirk. To a lesser extent, Brendan Smith and then maybe just maybe, if they wanted another PP specialist, Mark Streit. But Streit was far down in the pecking order. Up front, maybe obtain Patrick Sharp, my favorite, or Brian Boyle, my second choice, or Thomas Vanek, if you wanted a PP specialist .
Then on Monday, Shattenkirk was dealt to Washington making the task to defeat the Capitals even tougher. At that point, the question I posed on a prior blog was similar to what I noted above by even more real. Do you punt and look to 2018 and 2019, where many believed that the true window to win sits or do you still try and improve the team this season? If you polled most Rangers' fans, option A was the preferred choice. So what did Gorton do? He traded a second rounder in 2018 and third rounder this season for Smith, who clearly is an upgrade to what New York has . But as a standalone move, it's insufficient.
All hope though wasn't lost as 24 hours or so still remained after that trade. However, by that time, Boyle was already on his way to Toronto. But maybe Gorton will get Sharp or Vanek or even Shane Doan or Antoine Roussel, depending on which holes he wanted to fill. Especially with Mike Zibanejad nursing a hand injury, Jesper Fast out 2-3 weeks with a separated shoulder and Chris Kreider possibly nursing a groin injury. Plus, Michael Grabner was cross checked by Adam Clendening in practice and has an injured hip. In addition, Kevin Klein has back spasms and Dan Girardi is out 10-14 with ankle soreness, so since Smith helps there, then go all in or punt, trading off the aforementioned assets, because of the injuries.
Instead we got nothing. Unless Taylor Beck for Justin Fontaine excites you. Yet we saw Vanek go for just a third and Dylan McIlrath. Streit traded twice for what in essence was a fourth rounder in 2018. Drew Stafford for a sixth rounder and PA Parenteau, who might have helped the PP, also went for a sixth. If you aren't going to acquire an asset, then shed extra ones. See what Grabner brings. Same with Kevin Klein or Nick Holden, the latter especially because when G and Klein are back, Adam Clendening likely sits and who else? You now have eight d-men for six spots. Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei and Smith are givens. Which two amongst G, Klein, Clendening, Holden and Marc Staal sit? Gorton in essence mismanaged assets there.
The bottom six and lineup as a whole lacks some grit. Not an enforcer but someone who has skill and can be physical. That's why Roussel made sense, especially with Sharp injured and unavailable. Same with Boyle as a rental to pair with Fast when healthy and Oscar Lindberg. Dwight King is slow as molasses but for a fourth, not a bad price to pay, as Montreal with him and Ott are now a pylon-esque fourth line, but if you can't get around them, you will be crushed. Maybe Beck fills that role but doubtful. The PP stinks but Gorton swung and missed on Shattenkirk, likely due to cost, yet could have maybe gotten Streit or Parenteau or even Jarome Iginla to help there. Radim Vrbata, who has shrunk when the situation gets tighter, stayed in Arizona but he too could have helped the PP. But nothing. New York is therefore neither here or there. As such, for now, call up Pavel Buchnevich and leave him in the lineup. Benching him or playing him in Hartford really does nothing for his development.
Make a decision and stick with it. If building for next year and the year after, fine, go that route. If your chips are all in, then be all in. Going partway is no way at all. For now, Gorton gets a C+ mainly because he retained the first rounder and didn't just panic to make a stupid move after missing out on Shattenkirk. He gave up assets to get Smith, and may have overpaid dealing a 2 and a 3. But, if Smith re-signs and assets are moved before the expansion draft, up the grade. If not, lower it.