With their struggles continuing to get worse, the Rangers are in dire need of a massive shake up.
Everybody knows what to do with the submerging Rangers and yet nobody knows. Some NHL general managers would like to "help" but first by helping themselves.
There are so many Blueshirt problems it's as if you attack one, then another pops up. Exhibit A – after the smiting last night in Tampa Bay – is goaltending.
"With Igor Shesterkin it was the one area that once was untouchable," says The Old Scout. "But after last night where's the dependability?"
It's gone and so is the once-dependable defense and formerly solid veteran forwards such as Chris Kreider.
"They should trade Kreider and Adam Fox," says Sean McCaffrey of Blue Collar Blueshirts.
Super scout Jess Rubenstein suggests that GM Chris Drury sign young Drew Fortescue, the gifted Boston College blueliner.
"Gabe Perreault also is ready for the NHL," adds Rubenstein. "He's like a young Marty St. Louis when Marty was winning a Cup in Tampa Bay. Why wait – Gabe and Drew are needed."
Meanwhile, nobody has a quick fix for Peter Laviolette's foundering sextet which meets the Panthers tomorrow night in Sunrise where my Florida spy Al Greenberg will be watching them.
"The Rangers play has been abysmal," says Greenberg, "especially the five-on-five. They need a leader to get them going. Vincent Trocheck should be named captain."
Critics have zeroed in on Drury and Laviolette for an assortment of team woes but both will be spared a firing – at least until Jim Dolan is available.
Perhaps the most available "solution" is supplied by Al Greenberg.
"It's up to the players to get themselves out of it," Greenberg concludes, "Players like the Rangers don't go from outstanding one year to a bunch of stiffs overnight!"
So far, the bumbling Blueshirts are the exception to that rule.
